If anyone can attest to the attributes of eating a healthy diet, it's Gary Player. Now 76 years old, Player still travels the globe six to eight months per year and says he has no intention
of slowing down anytime soon. One big reason for his stamina and seemingly boundless
energy, he tells us in an exclusive interview (see page 20), is that he's basically vegetarian,
and says he hopes to go completely vegan in the next few years.
Back in his early years playing professional golf, Player was thought of as something of
an eccentric for his exercise and dietary habits. But today's pros are far more like Player in
that respect than any of his contemporaries. Indeed, we know so much more nowadays
about staying fit and eating right...right?
That's why I'm always so happy to see the person coming around the cart path on the
golf course. Being a vegetarian myself, I'm usually ready for a natural fruit smoothie and
a health bar around hole six. Maybe a nice kale salad or veggie wrap if it's lunchtime; or a
bag of lightly sea-salted cashews if I just want a snack.
What's that? All you have are hot dogs and chips? Purple or green sugar water? Candy
bars and beer? Forget the fact that many course managers know that food carts are one of
the biggest culprits in golf's slow play epidemic, but hey, you're killing me out here...literally!
It's one of my pet peeves: Nothing but junk food on the golf course. Maybe Mr. Player
and I can convince one of the more innovative management companies to seize the
initiative and add some organic, healthful options to the food cart.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has already blazed the trail, instituting "Lifestyle Cuisine
Plus" at all Fairmont restaurants, chain wide, providing a selection of excellent quality,
flavorful meals for guests on special diets—vegan, gluten-free, diabetic—as well as for
those who simply prefer to eat a healthier diet.
But snouts and hooves aside, isn't golf supposed to be a sport that gets us into the great
outdoors for a little exercise? Where else do you see exercise and junk food tied together?
Here are a few suggestions that my wellness coach wife, Landry, came up with as
a starting point for a "Healthy Food Golf Cart." These foods, she says, "provide the
nutrients, protein and energy that golfers need to play their best."
•;Pre-packaged;carrot;sticks
•;Organic;nutty;protein;bars
•;Organic;health;bars;(such as coconut
with nuts, dried fruits, granola)
•;100%;Natural;Harvest;Nuts;package
(A good one is Pistachio Grove Blend,
with pistachios, peanuts, almonds and
cashews roasted in sea salt, no added oils.)
•;Packaged;quinoa;salad
•;Pita;veggie;pockets;with;hummus,
sprouts, cucumber, tomato and avocado
•;Organic;turkey;sandwich;on;whole
wheat bread with lettuce and tomato
•;Cold;Thai;rice;noodle;salad;with;diced
carrots, peppers and chopped peanuts
in a coconut milk peanut sauce
•;Fresh;cut;mango,;papaya
and pineapple box
•;Whole;fresh;fruits;including;apples,
bananas and oranges
•;Drinks:;Coconut;water,;fresh;smoothies,
bottled chai tea
George fuller,
Editorial Director
gfuller@troongolfandtravel.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
George Fuller
gfuller@troongolfandtravel.com
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Brett Brooks, Cyndi Bush, Tim Greenwell
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Gilbert
SECTION EDITORS
Tom Bedell (travel), Malcolm Campbell (at large),
Scott Kauffman (business),
Jason Kerkmans (apparel), Scott Kramer (equipment),
Jeff Williams (professional golf)
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ILLUSTRATORS
Bob Howells, Rob Myers, Ken Van Vechten,
Visions in Golf
ADVISORY BOARD
Fred Ackerman, Dave Barkin, Quentin Lutz
ADVERTISING
PUBLISHER
Richard E. Holcomb
dholcomb@troongolfandtravel.com
VP ADVERTISING & SALES
Trae Walker
trae@troongolfandtravel.com
ADVERTISING MANAGERS
Steve Bliman, Jack Miller, Jeff Miller,
RMS Media Group, Terry Uhl
FCP FINANCIAL MANAGER
Melissa Miller
Copyright 2011 by Flagship Custom Publishing. All
rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or
otherwise reproduced without written permission
from Flagship Custom Publishing. Troon Golf & Travel
is published by license with Troon Golf by Flagship
Custom Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 2120, Litchfield
Park, AZ 85340. Editorial inquiries should be directed
to: editor@troongolfandtravel.com.
