September 11th from 11am-1pm at the St. Jude Dream Home

NIPOMO, CA (September 7, 2010) – Visit the St. Jude Dream Home House at Trilogy Monarch Dunes in Nipomo this weekend for “A Salute to Our First Responders” with Bo Duke! The event is hosted by Jay and Niki from Sunny Country 102.5 FM. John Schneider, better known as “Bo Duke” from the Dukes of Hazard, will be at the St. Jude Dream Home Open House located at 1098 Ford Dr. on Saturday September 11th 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He will perform his hit single “The Promise” live, have lunch with the first responders of the Central Coast, pose for pictures and sign autographs. The first 100 first responders with a valid, government issued identification will be served a complimentary Santa Maria Style BBQ. Kids can take a picture on an Army Hum-V and make a Thank You Flag that will be sent out to local first responder departments. The house will be open Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Everyone who visits can also enter a FREE drawing to win a $7,500 shopping spree at A & R Furniture and Interiors. A limited number of $100 tickets for a chance to win the home will also be available during the open houses.
The house, built by Shea Homes, is valued at approximately $640,000 and features 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. It will be given away on KCOY CBS 12 at 4:30pm on October 10, 2010. One in 500 entrants will win a prize. Other prizes are also up for grabs include a Talo SmartTouch kitchen faucet and accessories package, courtesy of Brizo, a $1,000 gift certificate at Monarch Dunes Golf Club, a Wine Connoisseur Experience at Addamo Vineyards, a $500 gift certificate to A Little Something Flowers, a $500 gift certificate to Santa Maria Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki, and many more!
The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To reserve tickets, call (800) 843-5794 or visit www.dreamhome.org for more information. Tickets can be reserved at Lemos Feed & Pet Supply, select Santa Barbara Bank & Trust branches, First Bank of San Luis Obispo, and at Monarch Dunes. Other sponsors of the fundraising campaign include KCOY CBS 12, FOX 11, Shea Homes, Monarch Dunes, Sunny 102.5 FM, Cat Country 96.1 FM, A & R Furniture and Interiors, and Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Odds are amazing! Less than 4,000 tickets have been sold!
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. St. Jude was also named the nation’s top children’s cancer hospital in the 2010-11 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.

When golf course architect Damian Pascuzzo took his first look at a stretch of dramatic semi-dunesland near the Central California town of Nipomo, the traditionalist in him must have leapt for joy, while the mad scientist in him — the guy looking to turn the whole, overworked “links” idea on its head and push it into fascinating new territory — simply couldn’t be contained. He had sand to work with, and trees, and big, swooping, fescue-covered hills. He had it all.

When Monarch Dunes debuted in early 2006, it was clear that Pascuzzo’s cagey, curvaceous lass worked amazingly well within the developer’s modern housing project mold. He kept homesites well away from or above playing areas, and even today, homes never impinge on the course’s ability to rouse sharp emotions with every teebox or greenside view. Still, Monarch Dunes’ soul is rooted in the links and heathland courses of Scotland and Ireland. “The site itself really dictated that it had to be links style,” says Pascuzzo, a California native and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo graduate who works out of El Dorado Hills, near Sacramento, where he was the longtime design partner of the late Robert Muir Graves. “The soil is pure sand. If you look across Highway 1, you see all the dunes, then the ocean. We had to do that style of golf course; it would be a shame to do anything else.”

Pascuzzo and his design consultant, PGA Tour player and Central Coast native Steve Pate, excelled at nailing Alister MacKenzie’s No. 1 criterion for great golf design: Variety. When standing on the No. 1, tee you think it’s going to be all water and modern-feeling, but by No. 5 — a little “postage stamp” par 3 surrounded by fescue-bearded dunes that creates visions of No. 12 at Royal Liverpool — you know this ain’t no basic residential track.

Holes 6 through 8 are the finest three-hole stretch on the Central Coast. On No. 6 the drive must clear tufts of devil’s grass, then a big ridge that bisects several holes, then barrel to the bottom of a hill, just short of a lake, if there’s any chance of getting back up to the severely elevated, mega-deep, double-tiered green in two. It’s not just a good hole, it’s a great one; draped in tall eucalyptus with comely curves, it harkens to Bandon Trails and elicits a giddy feeling when you first see it.

No. 10 is another hole that, once Pascuzzo and Pate started digging, veered them off the blueprint.

“The original concept was a more traditional dogleg-left with bunkers down the left side. Then we realized this was our one opportunity to create a split fairway. We dropped the tee box five or six feet. You’ve got to hit a pretty good tee shot to knock it up there on the left, but you’re two clubs shorter than from the right. And the bunkering was just artistry in the field.”

From there Monarch Dunes keeps the spirit engaged through hill and dale, over frog-haired bunkers and across velvet bentgrass greens. “There’s a little bit of mystery in Monarch Dunes,” Pascuzzo says. “On No. 18, you know you hit it straight ahead, but what happens after that? That’s all intentional. No. 12 is the same way — you have to drive it up the fairway before you see the rest of the hole. It’s like the older courses in the Bay Area. You play it a second time and you’ll be a lot more comfortable; a third time, you’ll feel like you’ve known it a long time.”

Good as the Old Course is, Pascuzzo didn’t stop there. Next door is the fascinating Challenge Course, perhaps the best, and toughest, par-3 course in California — a dozen pure links holes with greens draped between heaving hills of sand and grass. A morning round on the big course, a great sandwich or salad in the clubhouse and an afternoon stroll through the Challenge? We can’t think of a better, or more fun, way to carve out 30 holes of fascinating coastal golf. FG

www.monarchdunes.com | 805.343.9459
Rates (Old) $47-$78 (Challenge) $19-$21 for 12 holes
Yardage (Old) 4,702-6,810 (Challenge) 1,377-1,858
Resort tee rating 68.5/128

Watch a video sneak peak of the home here.

To learn more about how you could win this 2,321 sq ft home for only $100, go here.

Learn more about this month’s Buy Now Bonus here.

This month, we’re highlighting a group of Trilogy at Monarch Dunes members who play one of the oldest games known to mankind. Yes, the Egyptians played a form of this game with polished rocks over 7,000 years ago; it was a favorite sport of statesmen and rulers in ancient Rome; and today, the members of Trilogy Monarch Dunes have become a part of the long heritage of the game of Bocce. Read on to get to know May’s Club of the Month through an interview with Charles Davis, Trilogy member and President of the Monarch Dunes Bocce Club.

Thanks for taking the time to share the story of your club with us, Charles.  When was the Monarch Dunes Bocce Club founded?
The club was formed in February of 2009. Organized bocce league games began in the summer of 2008 when TCC residents Don and Ruby Peissig offered free lessons to Woodlands residents to learn the game. Within weeks over 50 residents began playing regularly, forming a league and competing three times a week over the next several months. After we held an awards banquet at the end of the year, Activities Director Stephanie Albright suggested that, given the game’s popularity, a charter club be formed. An application was prepared in January 2009 and approval from TCC was received a few weeks later. In 2009 we had slightly over 70 members (eight full teams plus substitute players); in 2010 it looks like we’ll field nine teams. Bocce is easily the biggest and most popular club at TCC, and it’s growing as new residents move in or existing residents learn of the club and want to try their hand at bocce play.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of officially forming this club?
TCC residents Don Peissig, Tom Campbell and I had become an unofficial Executive Board during 2008, writing and disseminating league rules, developing a schedule of games, and keeping track of team win/loss records. We authored the charter club submission in January 2009 and were elected as club officers the next month (I became President, Don Vice-President and Tom Secretary/ Treasurer). As stated above, Stephanie Albright strongly urged us to become a charter club, since we wanted to have priority access to the bocce court and needed to reserve the Avila Ballroom for club meetings and awards luncheons. Trilogy Monarch Dunes provides a written format for club submissions to be considered. Individualizing that format for our own specific circumstances was a matter of a few hours of meetings and consultations with Stephanie (who was very helpful), and then an additional few hours of writing.

What is the structure of the Monarch Dunes Bocce Club?
Trilogy Monarch Dunes has very specific rules about the structure of charter clubs, and we have to comply with those rules. Among them is a requirement for open membership, regular club meetings, public election of club officers, and accounting of club assets (dues). Three club officers are required at a minimum (President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer), and we went with that number. Elections are conducted annually and club officers can only serve for a one year period before running for re-election. Last year, the Executive Board, once elected, selected team captains, and those captains met several weeks later and drafted team members. Teams remained the same throughout 2009, but new drafts are done yearly. At the initial club meeting this year, I was re-elected as President and Tom as Secretary/Treasurer; Don Peissig, who is moving, did not stand for re-election and TCC resident Dean Adams was elected as Vice President.

Is this club open to all TCC members, or is a certain experience level preferred?
The club is open to all Woodlands residents, whether they live in the Villas, the townhouses, or in Trilogy Monarch Dunes. Absolutely no level of experience with bocce is required. The game can be learned with only an hour’s playing time; skill development progresses swiftly. To play you must be a club member and you can join the club anytime during the year simply by paying the annual dues ($20). With your dues payment comes access to all club functions: league play, club meetings, awards luncheons, and recognition for winning records in league play.

Does a member have to join before the season begins, or can he/she start mid-season?
If a member joins mid-season and there are no team openings, the member becomes a substitute player, and plays on any team which has a need for a replacement player. We generally maintain a pool of 10 or so players for that purpose. Regular team members play weekly; substitute players play as needed (sometimes several times a week, depending on the amount of absenteeism).

Are playoffs/championships held at the end of the season? Or, is a “winning team” declared based on most wins throughout the season?
Win/loss records are an important part of league play and are posted weekly during the season by Tom Campbell on the club’s website on MTL.com. Last year, our season was divided into two parts: spring and fall. We held awards luncheons after each season and recognized the first, second, and third place teams (based upon win/loss records) for both spring and fall. In 2010 we’re adopting a single season format with only one awards banquet, but for the first time we’re also scheduling a tournament at the end of league play. Our awards banquet will recognize the tournament champion as well as the league first, second and third place finishers.

Does the CCBC follow official bocce league rules and regulations?
There are many different ways to play bocce and different clubs follow different rules. We’ve adopted the rules for “Open Bocce,” modifying them as we feel appropriate for our use. We continue to make minor changes each year, based on our previous experience (they’ve changed again – slightly – for 2010). The rules are handed out at our initial club meeting for the year and are also posted on the club’s website. Other clubs and leagues may use different rules, depending on which type of bocce they like the best.

For those who are not familiar with the game of bocce, can you give us a brief description of the object of the game, and how it is played?
Bocce is played with two eight-person teams. Weekly league play consists of completing three 12-point games against an opponent: the first team to score 12 points wins each game. Bocce has elements of both lawn bowling and pool. Its goal, simply stated, is to throw your team’s four bocce balls in such a manner as to get them closest to a target ball (called the pallino). Your opponents also get to throw four bocce balls and can bank off the sides of the court and knock your balls away in an attempt to get theirs closest. One point is earned for each ball you have closer to the pallino than any of the opponents’ balls. Successful bocce teams think very strategically, playing both offensively and defensively, as circumstances require.

How often does the Monarch Dunes Bocce Club hold league games? Do you also hold club meetings, outside of these games?
In 2009, league games were held three days a week: Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Mondays and Wednesdays had two matches played each day; Sundays only one match.  Generally each team plays one day a week. Club meetings are held at the beginning of the year (to elect officers and review rule changes) and during awards luncheons (twice last year, once this year).

Are there any special events held by the Bocce Club throughout the year that you’d like to highlight?
Our teams play over a three day period each week during the season (roughly March-October last year with a six week break in the summer; this year it will be April-September with no break in the summer), and there is much interaction during those games. Club meetings are held only at awards functions and at the beginning of the year, but are lively events, with an emphasis on recognition, having fun, and eating good food. An awards luncheon committee works very hard at stretching members’ dues payments into great meals. A large part of the success of this club is the willingness of many of its members to donate time and energy to making its functions a success.

On May 15th we are re-launching The Market Place as a complete specialty grocery stocked with fresh in house produce, dairy, meats, fish, fowl, cheese, eggs, milk, butter, coffee, tea, condiments and breads.  We are adding a cyber-café with laptops and free internet and we are lowering our wine pricing to be competitive with wine shops and wineries in the area.  Come by for a cup of coffee, check your e-mails or read the paper.

All day on Saturday May 15th and Sunday May 16th join us for Panini’s, Pizzas, and Coffee Drinks – two for one when you order to go!

Visit Adelina’s Bistro’s website for a menu for more information.

By now many of you have probably heard about the upcoming “All Trilogy Trip” to the beautiful Club Med Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from June 6th to 13th. This will be our fourth trip in the past two years that includes members from Trilogy at Vistancia, Redmond Ridge, Central Coast, and La Quinta, and we’ve opened it up once again to all Trilogy and Victoria Gardens members, family, and friends. Whether this is your first time learning about this trip, or you’ve already booked your tickets to Punta Cana, I wanted to share some information with you about this one-of-a-kind vacation.

Due to the success of our past Club Med trips to Ixtapa and Cancun, some of the members suggested that we visit a Club Med Resort outside of Mexico, for a new vacation experience. So, we’ve chosen the Club Med Caribbean Resort in Punta Cana for our next trip. This resort is located on 75 acres of private coconut groves and white sandy beaches. It has recently undergone a $34 million dollar renovation, and is now the largest Club Med property in North America. We know that the members will fall in love with this resort, and will have as many rave reviews as they had when they returned from the past three All-Trilogy Trips.

This is a great way to meet new friends, discover new places, and live an adventure while enjoying top-notch service from the International Club Med staff in Punta Cana.

At the same time, we’re lucky to have scheduled our Trilogy Punta Cana trip during the week that Club Med is hosting the Caribbean’s premiere Wine & Food Festival. This weeklong event hosted by Club Med Corporate Chef Erik Peters, featuring guest celebrity chefs and master sommeliers, will draw on your passion for world-class cuisine, fine wines, and fantastic cocktails. Events will include culinary demonstrations hosted by Chef Bernard Guillas, author of Flying Pans, beach BBQs featuring the cuisine of BBQ legend Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe, wine workshops, beach parties, rum tasting, cigar expositions, a coconut grove garden party, four-course signature dinners using locally sourced ingredients and inspired by various global regions, an evening “carnival,” and much more.

What’s included in the All-Trilogy Trip to Punta Cana?

We have reserved 40 beautifully decorated Club Rooms near the center of the village, all with views of the crystal blue Caribbean. The completely renovated Club Rooms offer a serene space to relax after a fun-filled day and night. Rooms include air conditioning, a flat screen television, coffee machine, turn down service, bathrobes and slippers, high quality toiletries, and priority housekeeping.

This all-inclusive vacation includes a seven night stay at Club Med Punta Cana, with world-class dining 24/7 at one of three restaurants on site, open bar and cocktails (including top shelf brands) at any of the Club Med bars, all sports and activities (including equipment and lessons), and entertainment each day and night.

Plus, exclusively for our Trilogy group, there will be a personalized Welcome Cocktail Party to start off the week, two private dinners, a private beach party and barbecue, private Trilogy sports tournaments, activities, and lessons during the week, four private morning Eco-Walks to explore the local area of the Dominican Republic, and a personalized Farewell Cocktail Party to finish an amazing week in Punta Cana.

There will be many exciting activities for you to participate in each day and night of this vacation. But, if you’d prefer to spend the week relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach, you are more than welcome to do so. You can do as much or as little as you’d like during this fun-in-the-sun getaway!

Club Med also offers rejuvenating spa services and outside excursions at an extra charge. There’s plenty to see and do on the island, and if you enjoy casinos, there are plenty of those as well!

All-Trilogy Trip Details

We’d love to have you join us on this All-Trilogy Trip to Punta Cana! Again, all Trilogy and Victoria Gardens members, as well as their family and friends, are welcome to come along.

What: 7-night stay at Club Med Punta Cana
Where: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
When: June 6th – June 13th, 2010
Cost: $915/person (double occupancy)
Includes: Club Med “All Inclusive” Package, plus…

• Membership Fees
• Travel Insurance
• Personalized welcome at the airport
• Round trip transfers in Punta Cana by Gregg & Club Med reps
• Several “extras” exclusively for our Trilogy group, including dinners, entertainment, activities, etc.

Airfare is not included in this price, but there are a number of ways to get to the Dominican Republic (airport code PUJ) from your nearest airport. The current airlines flying to Punta Cana include USAir, American, Continental, JetBlue, and Delta.

If you have any questions or would like any additional information about this trip, please contact Gregg Snyder, Lifestyle & Activities Director for Trilogy at Vistancia by email gregg.snyder@trilogyresortliving.com or by phone at 623-215-6296.

Please note that you will need an up-to-date passport to participate in this trip.

For more information about the trip please click here.

Or to visit Club Med Punta Cana’s website, click here.

Located in the Trilogy Central Coast community, the 2,321 sq. ft. St. Jude Dream Home will be valued at approximately $600,000.  Beginning July 7, 2010, a limited number of chances to win the St. Jude Dream Home house and other prizes will go on sale for $100 each.

Other sponsors of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway include KCOY CBS 12, KSNI Sunny Country 102.5FM, and KSLY Cat Country 96.1FM.  For more information about the St. Jude Dream Home giveaway, call (800) 834-5794.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.