Page 26 May 2014 Golfers toss their clubs and use their feet in new sport By Danika Worthington A new sport will be invading Arizona golf courses, bringing its argyle sock and Scottish hat-wearing players with it. It’s called FootGolf. Simply put, it’s just like golf. Except instead of a small golf ball, a player uses a sizably larger soccer ball. And instead of a club, a player swings with their foot. “It’s a lot of fun,” said Kelly Woods, director of FootGolf Arizona. “I really think it’s going to take off.” The sport, which originated in Europe, came to America in 2009, Woods said. The American FootGolf League was created in 2011 and has close to 100 courses in about 30 states. But Arizona, the state with the most golf courses per capita west of the Mississippi River, was not one of those states - until Woods decided to change that. She opened the FootGolf Arizona chapter of the American FootGolf League in 2013 and worked with Shalimar Country Club to open Arizona’s first FootGolf course in May 2014. Long time golfers of Shalimar should refrain from throwing their clubs in horror, Woods said. FootGolfers use their own tee, greens, flags and holes, which are much larger to fit soccer balls. And players assuredly will not be wearing cleats on the green – only turf shoes. FootGolfers share the same fairway, but every two holes of FootGolf is equivalent to one traditional golf hole. Shalimar will have 18 holes total, she said. The new sport has a quicker pace but the two FootGolf holes to one traditional golf hole ratio allows for traditional golfers and FootGolfers to intermix without interfering with each other’s play, Woods said. “There’s a fear factor for golfers, especially the old timers who’ve been at the same course lots of years,” Woods said. “Change is not easy for anybody.” Tyler Gustafson, head golf professional at Shalimar, said he initially thought the concept was odd when his employer sent him to California to check out the sport about 4 months ago. But after playing, he said he thought it was fun. “At first people might turn their heads, but as soon as you try it, it’s a lot of fun,” Gustafson said. “You can’t deny how fun it is.” He said some golfers have asked what the big holes were. He said people’s reactions ranged depending on how the sport was explained. If the person is enthusiastic about FootGolf, typically the golfer is too. Gustafson said the sport will bring new people of all ages to the course. He said some people don’t know what to do on a golf course and FootGolf can help “ease” their way onto the golf course. Woods also said the sport brings many new people to golf courses, including women and minorities. She said the sport is for everybody, especially families. Although, more soccer players than golf players pick up the sport. Roberto Balestrini, founder of the American FootGolf League, said FootGolf will bring new people, especially children, to the courses, many of which were hit hard during the economic downturn. “Kids ask to go to basketball or baseball games,” Balestrini said. “But they don’t say, ‘Dad, dad, take me to a golf tournament.’” People can be intimidated by golf, Balestrini said, but FootGolf is a good way to introduce them to the courses and rules of the game. Players may switch over to golf, he said. At the very least, he added, people playing FootGolf will bring an added source of revenue to courses. The American FootGolf League is creating the U.S. Youth FootGolf program in the summer. In September, the league will have a grand tour in New Jersey and California. In 2015, AFGL plans to have the U.S. National FootGolf Tournament for juniors, men, women and seniors, he said. Balestrini said the game is fun and requires players to read the course far more than they would when passing a ball in soccer. “When you get into the fairway, and you have that fairway just for you … It is like a dream come true,” he said. But not everyone wanted to be a part of the dream. Woods spoke with different golf courses about adding the sport and not all were as enthused, she said. “Some were an absolute no,” Woods said. “They couldn’t see it, couldn’t visualize it.” But Shalimar, which is family owned, got on the idea quickly, she said. People who come to Shalimar will be given a quick demo to learn the basics of the sport. FootGolf has been added to the course at Shalimar Country Club. DAD DAD Tell Arcadia News your best memory with your dad at editor@arcadianews.com Stea

Page 27 May 2014 Steak 44 5101 N. 44th St. www.steak44.com 602-271-4400 By Amanda Goossen The typical steakhouse has a look. A feel. A vibe. It’s the place you go to enjoy an extraordinary steak in a dimly lit, large room of leather booths and well-dressed waiters. In my mind I think martinis and bulbous glasses of deep red wines. And I think quiet and formal. But the new Steak 44, from Jeffrey Mastro, Michael Mastro, Dennis Mastro and Scott Troilo, the owners of the popular Dominick’s Steakhouse at the Scottsdale Quarter, alters that view and stereotype profoundly. The Mastro family is known for their steaks. The family founded the highly successful Mastro’s Steakhouse in Scottsdale in 1999 and went on to open Mastro’s City Hall and Mastro’s Ocean Club. After establishing the restaurants in California, Las Vegas and Arizona, the Mastros sold their 10-unit restaurant group to Landry’s Inc. in 2007. The restaurateurs, however, couldn’t stay away from what they knew and in 2011 opened Dominick’s Steakhouse at Scottsdale Quarter. And just over a year ago, when the historic Cork ‘N Cleaver site became available after calling 44th St. home for over 35 years, the Mastros jumped at the chance to enter Arcadia. “After opening Dominick’s we knew we wanted another steakhouse,” said Jeff Mastro. “We knew we wanted a younger and more modern look at a steakhouse and we knew we wanted this area.” And in Arcadia’s new hotspot, they’ve done just that. The contemporary décor, with gray and metallic accents highlighting a variety of rooms and seating options, is y Club. our dad s.com attractive and hip. The choice of a private booth where you can watch the action in the kitchen through a glass window, when a curtain is pulled back, or a table in a well-lit space with a patio and fireplace, gives diners the ability to choose the way they want to dine. Tables that overlook the ultra-cool bar allow guests to be part of the party, while not feeling like they’re eating dinner in the bar. And four private dining rooms, which can easily change into dining space if needed, allows for large parties and private events. Exposed speakers and a music coordinator help to infuse music into the space, bringing hits from the 70s, 80s and today. The tunes play at the perfect volume to get the party started without feeling like you’re being served a gourmet meal in a nightclub. “With Steak 44 we wanted a modern, new era of the steakhouse,” said Jeff Mastro. “And I think we’ve achieved Steakhouse experts bring new modern eatery to Arcadia that.” Changing the vibe of the place does not mean altering the quality of the food. Executive Chef Geoff Baumberger promises not to sway from what the Mastro family has always done best. Only the best prime steaks and chops are offered, in a range of sizes to please everyone. Delicious side dishes enough to feed two or three people allow for a family style experience and the chance for everyone to try a few bites. The Steakhouse Stuffing, the Corn Crème Bruleé, Hand Cut Fries, Crispy A s p a r a g u s Fries and Dominick’s Potatoes are just a few of the outrageously satisfying sides that can be shared amongst your guests. And while you may automatically think steak when arriving, the gorgeous fresh seafood will have you contemplating your order. The Raw Bar, on display through the glass kitchen, is stunning. Flown in daily for the ultimate in quality, the seafood is quite impressive. To continue the new contemporary vibe, Steak 44 has added a few fun elements to the menu as well. In the appetizer section, fried deviled eggs steal the show. Like nothing I’ve ever tasted before, the crunch is outstanding and the flavor out of this world. Think the best deviled egg you’ve ever had, fried to perfection. For dessert, there’s no run of the mill options. A Red Velvet Bread Pudding is warm and sinfully delicious and the S’mores in a Jar offers up the favorite campfire treat in a trendy mason jar, bruleéd at the table for everyone’s entertainment. “People have come to expect great things from the Mastro family and at Steak 44 we’re excited to build on that,” said Chef Geoff Baumberger. And build on it, they did. To me, Steak 44 takes everything that you love about a perfect steakhouse dining experience and makes it exceptionally better. I can honestly say I enjoyed one of the best meals of my life. From service, to atmosphere and perfect plates of food, I was in dining heaven. Chef Geoff Baumberger joins restaurateur Jeff Mastro.