Welcome to Eat Sleep Golf Toronto

Welcome to the Toronto division of Eat Sleep Golf!  The 2013 season is winding to a close in our area but that doesn't mean there isn't still plenty of golf to discuss.  Over the winter we'll be making some improvements to our site, posting some new articles and setting the stage for what's to come in 2014.  We hope you enjoy your time browsing the site.

At Eat Sleep Golf we've got two main focuses:

1. To connect with local golf enthusiasts - We hope to provide local Torontonians as well as those visiting the area, with up to date content, industry news, upcoming events, course conditions, product reviews, recommendations and more.  We aspire to be a leading source and a go to spot for everything golf within the Toronto area.  If you fall into this category, we hope you'll take some time, read some of our recent articles and find some helpful recommendations for places to play great golf.  Check out our 'Golf Course' page which provides a map and course list of all the courses in the area.
2. To connect with local businesses - We want to engage with local golf courses, event organizers and other golf related organizations and charities in order to help build your brand and achieve your goals.  This is something that we've been doing at Eat Sleep Golf for over 5 years and our reach and experience continues to grow.  As such, we offer a variety of services including advertising packages, branding strategies, review articles and/or advertorial creation, social media management, blog creation and/or management, photography, graphic design, logo creation and more.  Have a look at our 'Services' page to see a better overview of these services and examples of our work.

We hope you've enjoyed the 2013 season, and we look forward to serving you throughout the year ahead.  If you have any questions, comments and/or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Crocodile Attacks Toronto Man on Golf Course

A Toronto man is lucky to be alive after being attacked by a crocodile on a golf course in Mexico.

Dougie Thomson was playing a round at the Iberostar golf club in Cancun, near a lagoon, when “I heard this rustling and this thing was snapped right on my leg.”

It was a crocodile, and it refused to let go.

“Then it started going backward into the lagoon, taking me with it,” Thomson told CBC News from Mexico, where he is recovering in hospital.

Thomson’s golf partner and others rushed to his aid.

“I had broke my club over its head,” said Brendan O'Hara, and another man rammed the animal with a golf cart. It eventually let go and the golfers made their escape, though the crocodile was in no rush to leave.

It remained for “at least an hour” by the swamped golf cart, said friend Gordon Victory, and the course remained open.

“They still let people play behind us,” said Victory.

This is not the first crocodile attack on the Iberostar course. An American golfer lost fingers in an attack this past September and is suing.

The club says crocodile warning signs are posted and Thompson is welcome to a free round if he decides to play there again.

Thompson will fly back to Toronto on Thursday.

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This article was originally posted on cbc.ca the original article can be viewed here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/crocodile-attacks-toronto-man-on-golf-course-1.2424803

The Science Behind Golf

Have you ever wondered how the little ball that golfers are so infatuated with developed over time?  Here's a great infographic that illustrates the science behind the golf ball...

Thanks to Golfzing for providing this informative image. For more information about the history and the evolution of golf, check out the Eat Sleep Golf series 'The Evolution of Golf' where we take an in depth look at how the game has evolved over time.

Golf Course Promotional Package

This package is designed specifically for golf courses.  Our focus is on providing exposure to your brand in order to boost your online reputation.  We accomplish this through review articles, course advertorials, social media promotions and more.  The best part, this package can be paid for 100% in golf vouchers. 

What we provide:

• Introductory meeting to review golf course objectives, goals, challenges etc.
• Review of current online reputation (website, mobile app, social media etc)
• Golf course review article posted on the Eat Sleep Golf website
• Advertorial page created for golf course on the Eat Sleep Golf website
• A minimum of 20 Social media posts/mentions/promotions for your golf course
• Creative & original photos taken of the golf course 

Cost of package: 10 x golf vouchers valid for 18 holes of golf (including cart).  Vouchers are typically used by ESG staff with the purpose of promoting your course, taking photos, social promotions etc.  Some vouchers may be used as promotional giveaways/contest prizes.

If you have any questions about the above package, or would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact us via email at: toronto@eatsleepgolf.ca

The Masters - Quick Stats

This infographic was provided by Statista

Cobble Beach - Concours d'Elegance

Picture 150+ of North America's most venerated automobiles sprawled across the lush greens of the Doug Carrick designed 18-hole links; polka-dot sundresses and white linen suits will spend the day strolling through decades of automobile ingenuity with stunning coastline as a backdrop. With a roster of renowned car collectors and judges, and an already impressive list of exhibits, the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance is set to become the pinnacle car event of the North, on par with the esteemed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. 

Georgian Bay is set to become the backdrop for the newest edition of the concours d’elegance. Heralded as the celebration of the world’s finest cars, this prestigious international event has finally found a worthy home in Canada. Location has always been paramount for the most elite concours around the world – from the esteemed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California - the new Cobble Beach golf resort community offers stunning coastline on par with this tradition of excellence.

“If ever there was a Pebble Beach of the north, this is it. Breathtaking scenery, wonderful countryside, and close to home,” says Steve Plunkett, renowned car collector, organizer of Canada’s largest car show and special advisor to Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Dating back to 17^th century French high-society as a parade of horse drawn carriages, the event has transformed into the most venerated display of antique and classic automobiles in the world. The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will exhibit over a hundred years of beauty and innovation represented in ten-plus main categories, featuring a concours d’elegance first: the introduction of a ‘Made in Canada’ class as a testament to the North American love-affair with the automobile. Exhibitor categories also include:

• Horseless Carriage (Brass Era) Pre 1916 (under 30/over 30 HP)
• Vintage (Nickel Era) 1916 to 1927
• American Classics Open 1925 to 1948
• American Classics Closed 1925 to 1948
• European Classics 1925 to 1948
• Sports Cars – European to 1973
• Sports Cars – American to 1973
• Preservation Class – pre 1960 cars (largely untouched, unrestored, running, original paint)
• Post War Thoroughbred - limited production prestige to 1973
• American Muscle Car 1960 to 1973
• Supercars
• Race Cars - track only – pre 1980
• Special Interest
• Pre-War Canadian engineered and built automobiles
• Production Modern 1949 to 1973
• Street Rods and Hot Rods to 1956

While the search for the world’s best cars has only just begun, entries for the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, have already started to flood in. The event will welcome home the 1978 Ferrari 312T3 F1 that won Gilles Villeneuve his first Formula One Grand Prix. After thirty years outside the country, the Ferrari will take its place among chief examples of automotive ingenuity, including the spectacular 1956 Maserati 200SI, the revolutionary 1930 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Roadster, and the rare 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe.

“The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be the car event of the season. Exhibitors will flock to be a part of this statement of elegance in the North,” predicts Edward Lucas, recipient of National Automotive Historian Award and Past Director and Chief Judge in the Classic Car Club of America. With over 20 years of experience as announcer at national automobile events, Lucas will lead the first annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance as Master of Ceremonies.

Contributing to the proper preservation of automotive history, Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance judging will consider correct preservation or restoration, as well as standards of presentation. Cars will be judged based on quality workmanship and functionality, originality and authenticity, as well as elegance in styling and design.

John Carlson joins the team as Chief Judge for the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. With over 45 years of experience in the collector car hobby, Carlson’s resume is stacked with impressive titles and accolades that he brings to the inaugural event. Carlson is the National President, CEO, and Chief Judge of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada, a permanent Chief Class Judge of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and has been inducted into three Motorsport Hall of Fames in Canada. 

"I am thrilled to have been invited to be part of the first Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The setting alone is sure to entice some of the most significant collector cars in North America. It will be a fantastic show to judge…to watch,” says John Carlson, Chief Judge of the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 

Proceeds raised by Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will go to Sunnybrook Foundation to fund a state-of-the-art helipad on the rooftop of the Toronto hospital. Of the 1,000 patients that are treated for life-threatening traumas at the hospital each year, about half arrive by helicopter. Right now, the hospital’s helipad is located about 500 meters from the trauma room and transferring patients from the helicopter to the trauma room can add time in treating patients when every second counts.

Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance general admission tickets range in price from $25 per person to $75 for a family including 2 adults and up to 4 children under 16. $250 VIP admission includes gourmet breakfast, lunch, VIP parking, and access to the VIP Clubhouse with wine-bar available throughout the day. For the utmost convenience, the $1100 VIP Ticket + Flight includes VIP admission plus a round-trip with Porter airlines from Toronto Island Airport and shuttles to Cobble Beach, as well as a $300 charitable donation receipt from Sunnybrook Foundation. For exhibitor information, to purchase tickets and more details on the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance Gala dinner visit www.cobblebeachconcours.com.

Cobble Beach Golf Links Resort Community

Nestled in the Bruce Peninsula, a National Geographic top-rated destination, the Cobble Beach Golf resort community is located on 1.6 km of private, untouched shoreline with unparalleled panoramic views of the Georgian Bluffs, and a 260 ft dock stretching into the bay providing access to yachts up to 120 ft. Deemed a Top 20 Golf Resort in Canada by Links Magazine in 2012, and one of the Top 10 Best New Courses in the World by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, Cobble Beach’s Doug Carrick designed 18-hole golf course is sure to draw the elite crowd of international tastemakers and automobile enthusiasts to stay for the week. Cobble Beach residents and guests of the inn enjoy gourmet dining at the award-winning Sweetwater Restaurant and first-rate treatments at the five-star Vichy Spa.

Potential purchasers charmed by the 574-acres of coastal landscape are invited to learn more about living at the Cobble Beach Golf Links Resort Community year round. Find out more at the Cobble Beach Experience Centre.

Hiking the Ultimate Tee Off at 12,667 ft.

For those among us whose desire for adventure outweighs the pressure of self-preservation have I got a trip for you! This one comes to you courtesy a sparsely populated, but famously potato state. Any idea which I am talking about? If you said Idaho, you’d be absolutely right! Located just inside the eastern edge of the Pacific Northwest, Idaho has a lot to offer those looking to get away from the hustle of city life. With over 83,000 square miles (mostly undeveloped) Idaho is a rare gem in the lower 48. Perhaps that’s why it’s referred to as the “Gem State”?

One of the best hikes in the state of Idaho is the Mt. Borah hike. At a little over 12,660 feet high, Mt. Borah is Idaho’s tallest mountain. Even for those who are in good shape, this hike can take a whopping twelve hours to complete from start to finish. Although the hike is strenuous, and at times downright dangerous (case and point - Chicken Out Ridge), but the views and freedom you experience once reaching the summit can only be compared to pure bliss.

When I made the summit in July of 2012 I witnessed firsthand a favorite past time some Mt. Borah hikers partake in, teeing off at the summit. As if the hike wasn’t bad enough already, people actually decide to haul golf clubs all the way up the mountain, and although I certainly do not encourage such behavior (for safety and environmental reasons) I will say this: if you’re going to do it, be smart. Make sure no one is climbing the mountain in the direction you’re teeing. It may not look like it, but people are able to ascend the mountain from more than one route, and use a bio-degradable ball. Here are a few I’d recommend.

The Eco Golf Ball - The Eco Golf Ball is made from 100% biodegradable wood. Originally designed for use in or around bodies of water the Eco Golf Ball meets all MARPOL V regulations and is actually approved by the US Coast Guard to be hit into the ocean. If left alone this ball should naturally degrade within a 3-6 month period.

UMaine’s Lobster Shell Ball - The lobster shell ball is produced by UMaine’s very own The Lobster Institute. Originally designed to be hit into the sea the lobster ball is made from waste lobster shells left over from the canning industry, a by-product that would otherwise be more waste in the landfill. These balls don’t fly as far as a regular ball but for the special summit tee off, or other non-retrievable tees (like the ocean) the lobster ball is the perfect solution to preventing pollution.

The Ecobioball Golf Ball - Albus Golf has produced the first 100% biodegradable golf ball that has a core made from fish food. The ball begins to degrade as soon as it touches water. Within 48 hours of initial exposure the entire shell should be gone and the inner core, made from fish food, is available for fish to eat. The idea behind this ball is that you shouldn’t just make a ball degrade; you should also give benefit to the fishes.

Final Thoughts Bring lots and lots of water, a sports drink or two, and a few snacks. Because the hike can take all day to complete, you’ll want to get an early start. When I did it in 2012 I stayed the night in the campground at the base of Borah and left at 5am the next morning. Since the sun isn’t up quite yet you’ll also want to pack a flashlight. For more information on this hike the US Forest Service has prepared a PDF file which can be found here.

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This article was written by David Bryce an online publisher for Golf in Branson, MO at Thousand Hills. He blogs on the topics of golf, travel, and vacations.