Issue link: https://digital.insidegolfmedia.com/i/1100947
NO. 9, WILSHIRE COUNTRY CLUB, LA F ounded in 1919 and opened for play a year later, historic Wilshire Country Club turns 100 years old this year. This 428-yard, uphill par-4 is the signature hole on this Norman Macbeth-de- signed course – iconic for its views in the distance. As you stand on the teebox below the steep fairway hill, you see the famed Hollywood sign on the left; then you attempt to hit your tee shot at the sign atop the El Royale Hotel on the right. If suc- cessful, you'll face another uphill tee shot to a dramatically sloped green. Wilshire will again host the LPGA's Hugel-Air Premia LA Open this month. JOKE OF THE MONTH F rom former President George W. Bush, 72, after finally recording his first career hole-in-one last month, on the par-3 12th hole at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, host venue for the annual AT&T Byron Nelson Classic: "Next life goal: live to 100 so I can shoot my age!" THE MONTHLY REPORT BY RANDY YOUNGMAN SoCal GOLF INSIDER CLUB EXEC OF MONTH MATT DONOVAN JOB TITLE: General Manager, Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo. AGE: 60. BORN: Los Angeles. RESIDENCE: Ladera Ranch. FAMILY: Wife Gabriela, twin daughters Emma and Isabella, son Patrick. EDUCATION: Mater Dei High, Gonzaga University. JOB EXPERIENCE: Opened Arroyo Trabuco in 2004. Previously worked at Menifee Lakes Country Club as GM for 15 years, helping develop Riverside County facility for Lusk Com- pany. Food & Beverage GM at La Quinta Coun- try Club for three years. Currently a member of Donovan Bros. Golf, LLC, which manages 11 SoCal golf courses. CURRENT DUTIES: Manage Arroyo Trabuco's golf facility operations, includ- ing O'Neill's Bar & Grill, for Rancho Mission Viejo development company. INDUSTRY HONORS: During tenure, ATGC honored often in Orange County Register's annual "Best of Orange County" awards, including No. 1 course in 2018; Best of Southland Golf 's awards for golf, value and 19th hole in 2017; and spotlighted by Golf World, Travel & Leisure, FORE and Wine Spectator magazines. FAVORITE COURSES: Bethpage State Park GC, LA North, Cypress Point, Royal County Down, Willowick and, of course, ATGC. DREAM FOURSOME: My Dad, my kids, my brothers Michael and Danny. We play 6! GREATEST THRILLS IN GOLF: When the locals in Ireland gave my brother, Mike, grief for playing too slow at Royal County Down; consolation winner of Trans Mississippi National Championship at Lakeside GC. HOLE OF THE MONTH