Growing Gamble Part 7 - Comparisons Fire Pit Productions 2025-10-06 | In Part 7 of this docuseries on "Growing Gamble," we get to know Nick Schaan, David McLay Kidd's lead associate on the design of Scarecrow. A resident of Washington, for Schaan to get this assignment and opportunity was a serendipitous intersection of his personal and professional life.You will also get a tour of the complete course routing with Schaan as the narrator, a breakdown and comparison of Scarecrow's 18th hole to the 16th at Bandon Dunes, and you'll get a look at a hole-by-hole comparison of Scarecrow to the original Gamble Sands course.
Youth on Course - Bruce Baker Tribute Fire Pit Productions 2025-09-24 | Bruce Baker is a co-founder of Youth on Course, the grow the game organization sharply focused on impacting kids with life changing experiencing by making the game accessible and affordable. Over 20 years ago, it was Baker who met with Paul Morton and together they hatched the concept and the first grant to launch the organization. Over five million subsidized rounds of golf later, Baker and his wife Barbara continue to raise money for Youth on Course through the annual 100 Hole Hike.
Fire Pit Productions Fire Pit Productions 2025-09-04 | Fire Pit Productions is a company rooted in storytelling. We immerse ourselves in a brand, destination, course or club and capture the essence of the culture and the heart of the matter through key voices, perspectives, characters or critical moments. Upon gathering interviews and raw footage, from both ground and air, we help clients devise a content strategy in terms of length, platforms, distribution and frequency. With over 30 years of experience in various forms of media, broadcasting, hosting, writing and events, Matt Ginella and Fire Pit Productions would be happy to jump on a call and discuss how and why we might be able to help you with your production demands.
Growing Gamble Part 6 - The Superintendent Fire Pit Productions 2025-08-15 | To grow grass, it doesn’t take an agronomist to know that you need water. But before that, the architect needs water to shape the land where the seeds will go. In Part 6 of the docuseries on “Growing Gamble,” in addition to getting the backstory and evolution of holes 6 thru 13 of Scarecrow, which opened for play on August 1, you get to know Josh Truan, the superintendent at this Central Washington destination since 2012. Prior to facilitating the grow-in of Scarecrow, Truan was also involved in the agronomy of Gamble Sands, the original 18 holes by David McLay Kidd, Quicksands, the par-3 course, and Cascades, the putting course. Overlooking the Columbia River, watch as both Kidd and Truan, a Washington native who says he landed his dream job, are both under pressure to get the irrigation system in place to grow all things Gamble Sands.
DaveO gets a pop! Fire Pit Productions 2025-08-07 | At the 2019 Uncle Tony Invitational at Bandon Dunes, Dave Licosati wins it all on the second playoff hole from the alternate tees, which played directly into the wind. And yes, he got a shot!
Growing Gamble Part 5 - Doubling Down Fire Pit Productions 2025-07-23 | After the Gebbers family debuted Gamble Sands in Central Washington in 2014, they proved to themselves and the golf world that, yet again, a remote location, an endless supply of sand and David McLay Kidd are an equation that adds up to success. Which is why they decided to double down on both golf and Kidd. But how would a second course on a neighboring slab of land be different? Kidd handed the reins of the design to Nick Schaan, his long-time associate and partner, who had no affiliation with the first course. Kidd made countless trips and remained the executive editor, but what ultimately became "Scarecrow," which opens Aug. 1, is in fact significantly different than Gamble Sands.In part 5 of this ongoing series on how the Gebbers family are growing Gamble Sands, you get behind the curtain of the decision to double down and a look at before, during and after they built out the first six holes of Scarecrow.
KemperSports Acquires Fire Pit Productions Fire Pit Productions 2025-07-16 | On July 16, 2025, KemperSports, a leading golf, sports, and hospitality company, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Fire Pit Productions, a company rooted in the culture of golf, travel, destinations, developments, restorations, architecture, experiences and the growth of the game. Fire Pit Productions will become a subsidiary of KemperSports and Founder Matt Ginella will serve as KemperSports’ Chief Storyteller.Long dedicated to building the brands and marketing the unique aspects of each individual property, KemperSports will enhance its storytelling capabilities across all sections of the company by partnering with the best in the business. Ginella and Fire Pit Productions will produce video and print content for KemperSports by highlighting the charm and interest of KemperSports’ 200+ golf properties, athletic facilities, and live events, starting with Streamsong in Bowling Green, Fla., which recently contracted David McLay Kidd to build a fifth course. Additionally, Ginella and Fire Pit Productions will continue to serve their current clients like Youth on Course, Areté Collective, Pasatiempo, Meriwether Companies, Cross Harbor, Tourism Ireland, Gamble Sands, Waste Management and more.“Golf has a 500 year plus history of great stories and legends, and no one is better at telling those stories and capturing the soul of the game than Matt Ginella,” said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports. “His unique style and passion for golf and sports produces content that really connects. And KemperSports has some of the most amazing people and places in the sports world and we are excited for Ginella to help share their stories and grow their business.”After a pivot from a media company in 2024, Ginella, a former Golf Channel on-air travel personality, resumed his vision of a production company and has shared some of the most compelling print, video and podcast content since 2020. Ginella’s soulful and thoughtful embrace of culture and community with a passionate curiosity comes out in his storytelling that continues to move beyond the news and into the true heart of the game and life. “I remember reaching out to Steve Skinner when I was working for Golf Digest and telling him: ‘I know I’ll work for KemperSports one day,’” says Ginella. “And in a sense, I have been working with them at places like Bandon Dunes, Chambers Bay, Streamsong and countless other destinations for a better part of 25 years. I’ve always admired their people, ethos, style and growth. In my mind, joining this team, and at this time, has been in the works for a long time. To grow their business and mine, is a dream come true.”For any/all inquiries to work with KemperSports or Fire Pit Productions to help document and share your story: mattginella@gmail.com.
Growing Gamble Part 4 – The Sands Course Fire Pit Productions 2025-07-03 | It’s 2008, the recession is a harsh reality, golf is down, courses are closing and David McLay Kidd is taking time to reflect on the first half of his career. The Gebbers family, who are accomplished fruit farmers in Central Washington, were dabbling in golf development with the likes of Perry Dye, the son of Pete and Alice Dye. They were working on a tough piece of their land and Perry Dye isn’t Pete Dye. Which is when they turned to Orrin Vincent of OB Sports Golf Management, who called Kidd and asked him to look at a massive slab of sand-based land that the Gebbers used as a “heifer pasture,” which overlooks the Columbia River. Gamble Sands, the course and resort, and Kidd, the golf course architect, have been on a hot streak ever since.In Part 4 of this series on “Growing Gamble,” it’s all about business and professional pivots that paid off, then and now. This is the story of building what we commonly refer to now as Gamble Sands, No. 31 on Golf Digest’s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Course.
Growing Gamble Part 3 - The Heifer Pasture Fire Pit Productions 2025-06-16 | Once the decision was made to build golf, the Gebbers hired Perry Dye and were developing a challenging parcel of their land. And then along came the recession, Orrin Vincent, a Heifer pasture and David McLay Kidd. In Part 3 of this series on Growing Gamble, you get the story of the critical pivot that has resulted in Gamble's success.
Growing Gamble Part 2 - The Family Tree Fire Pit Productions 2025-06-16 | In Part 2 of this series on "Growing Gamble," we get a history lesson on the Gamble and Gebbers families, which is fast approaching the seventh generation.As Cass Gebbers explains, it's all about "scratching the gravel" of the people who made this lifestyle possible. And that work ethic has produced more than just some of the best fruit in the world, it's now cultivating one of the fastest growing golf destinations in the country.
Growing Gamble - Part 1: All in the Family Fire Pit Productions 2025-05-15 | The Gamble and the Gebbers families have been "scratching gravel" in Central Washington since the late-1800s. It's not work, it's a way of life. They have been building a lasting legacy, farming some of the greatest apples and cherries in the world, herding cattle, cultivating a community and now they're playing golf. In Part 1 of this digital series on "Growing Gamble," Cass Gebbers gets down off his horse just long enough to catch us up on the family history, which is six generations deep, and soon to be seven.
Growing Gamble - Series Trailer Fire Pit Productions 2025-05-04 | Gamble Sands is a story of family, “scratching gravel,” cherries, apples, cattle, a whole lotta golf and hospitality.And now it’s your story.Here’s the trailer to the “Growing Gamble” series from Fire Pit Productions, which will be dropping over the next three months as the opening of David McLay-Kidd's latest, Scarecrow, is set to open Aug. 1.🔥
Restoring the 16th Green - Episode 2 Fire Pit Productions 2025-04-11 | In part 2 of this two-part series on the restoration of the Pasatiempo greens, through the lens of what was done to the 16th green, one of the most diabolical putting surfaces in golf, we pick it up as the core it out, modernize the drainage 16-inches below the surface, then they build it back up, reestablish the template, finalize the edit and then seed it and grow it in. You’ll see heat maps that indicate the changes to realistic hole locations on the 16th green, graphics over the new green indicating what’s happening around the green that makes it fair and fun, and you’ll see a three-month time lapse that shows the process in daily, weekly and monthly increments. Months later, Fire Pit Productions was back at Pasatiempo when they reopened all 18 greens and recreated a star-studded foursome of professional golfers as they played in front of Pasatiempo members, leadership and the team who worked on the restoration. You’ll hear from Arron Oberholser and Roger Maltbie as they reflect on what the course is now versus what it was when they played it as their home course at San Jose State. And you’ll get final thoughts from Jim Urbina and Justin Mandon as they stand in the 16th fairway looking back on the project and the work they did to get it to the finish line.
Restoring the 16th Green - Episode 1 Fire Pit Productions 2025-04-11 | By way of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the famed golf course architect, and Marion Hollins, the female pioneer, player, developer and architect, not to mention Bobby Jones, who played in the opening day foursome and fell in the love with the work of MacKenzie and Hollins, Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, Calif., is forever entrenched in the fabric of golf in America. Dating back to 1929, this (mostly) public course has a rich history. But life for the course and club hasn’t always been easy. There have been economic struggles, agronomic downturns and there was a rather famous fight for reclaimed water, which was resolved in 2016. And then there was this issue with the greens. All of them. The club leadership knew it, Justin Mandon, the course superintendent knew it, and Jim Urbina, the course architect who had worked for a better part of two decades tweaking and restoring the course, but not the greens, also knew it. And through a thoughtful and rigorous process, all of the above convinced the members/shareholders of the club that the putting surfaces needed to go back to the future. This is it, an in-depth look at what happened in the dirt of every green at Pasatiempo, but this two-part series is through the lens of what they did to restore the 16th green. In Episode 1, it’s peeling back “the fat,” it’s looking at images from 1929 to 1931, it’s building what they refer to as “the model,” and it’s creating their “forever template.”
Dusting off the Persimmon Fire Pit Productions 2025-04-09 | The Wishbone Brawl is an annual event at Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, Calif. Pros play persimmons at the 4,500-yard municipal to raise money for John Ashworth’s community hub of goodness and specifically, North County Junior Golf and the Goat’s Junior Caddie and Leadership Academy. In 2021, Fred couples rolled up to the Wishbone and revealed that he had tracked down and dusted off the persimmon driver he used to win the ‘92 Masters. Same sweet swing, same sweet sound. Couples is one of many GOATS roaming Goat Hill Park.
Restoring Pasatiempos 16th Green (sizzle) Fire Pit Productions 2025-04-09 | As the conversation turns to Augusta National, the course and the architecture, you’ll hear a lot about Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the architect, and never enough about Marion Hollins, his friend and partner in a variety of projects. Most notably Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, Calif., which she developed and helped design. Hollins and MacKenzie unveiled Pasatiempo in 1929. And on opening day, after losing in the first round of the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach, Bobby Jones was available to join Hollins, Cyril Tolley and Glenna Collett as the first foursome to play the course. It was an unsuccessful U.S. Amateur for Jones, but that week he got time with MacKenzie and Hollins and he played Cypress Point and Pasatiempo, which led to Jones and Clifford Roberts hiring MacKenzie to design and build Augusta National. On Friday, Fire Pit Productions will drop a two-part series on the restoration of the Pasatiempo greens. We’ve been working on this for over two years and it’s roughly 30 minutes of storytelling. It’s the process they went through to restore each green, but it’s through the very specific lens of the 16th green, one of the most diabolical putting surfaces in golf. We have shovels going down almost two feet, Mandon and Urbina searching for clues in the sand and soil, there’s a time-lapse that ran for three months, multiple graphic elements over the before-and-after images, and you’ll get a better understanding of how and why this project had to be done. Pasatiempo will host the Western Intercollegiate April 14-16, which will showcase not only the thoughtful restoration by Jim Urbina, Justin Mandon and Earth Sculptures, but it will also showcase some of the best talent in college golf. Past champions include O’Meara and Scheffler, both who went on to win the Masters.
Lore of The Hills Episode 1: Chemistry Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-25 | As David McLay Kidd continues to grow in Loraloma, his latest course in the Hill Country of Texas, Fire Pit Productions produced another video on how and why the Areté leadership went with Kidd.And with two miles of the river’s edge shaping the course and a design philosophy that blends artistry with playability, Kidd explains why this could be a one-and-done for his courses in this area.For more on this course and community, go to loralomaclub.com
HOAG Classic - Military Appreciation Day Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Truly a remarkable ATI Restoration Salute to Service Day Celebrating Folds of Honor
HOAG Classic - Aston Martin Pro-AM Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Incredible couple days at the Ashton Martin Newport Beach Legends Pro-Am
HOAG Classic - Jack Nicklaus Part 2 Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Two Legends. Role Models. Champions
HOAG Classic - Jack Nicklaus Part 1 Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Thank you Mr. Nicklaus for being the Guest of Honor at the #HoagClassic Hall of Fame Community Breakfast
HOAG Classic - The Week Begins Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Kicking off the week the only way we know how.
Newport Beach Celebrity Classic Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-24 | Supporting Southern California Fire Relief
Migrations: Los Angeles Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-06 | Between 1910 and 1970, nearly seven million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South. The so-called Great Migration was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. As these migrants moved to the urban areas of the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, they were met with new social hurdles. They were often forced to live in specific parts of the cities due to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying financial services based on race or ethnicity. The devalued real estate in the redlined areas was often used for municipal golf courses, which became cultural battlegrounds for courageous pioneers like Charlie Sifford in Philadelphia, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes in Chicago, Ben Davis in Detroit and Maggie Hathaway in Los Angeles. Fire Pit Productions spent two years going to these cities to interview Black Americans, many of whom were part of the Great Migration. After John Nichols and his team combed through 30 hours of footage and interviews, a clear picture emerges of these vibrant communities and the golfers who helped get us to where we are today.This is the story of Los Angeles, Chester Washington, Jim Brown and Maggie Hathaway.
Migrations: Chicago Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-06 | Between 1910 and 1970, nearly seven million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South. The so-called Great Migration was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. As these migrants moved to the urban areas of the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, they were met with new social hurdles. They were often forced to live in specific parts of the cities due to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying financial services based on race or ethnicity. The devalued real estate in the redlined areas was often used for municipal golf courses, which became cultural battlegrounds for courageous pioneers like Charlie Sifford in Philadelphia, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes in Chicago, Ben Davis in Detroit and Maggie Hathaway in Los Angeles. Fire Pit Productions spent two years going to these cities to interview Black Americans, many of whom were part of the Great Migration. After John Nichols and his team combed through 30 hours of footage and interviews, a clear picture emerges of these vibrant communities and the golfers who helped get us to where we are today.This is the story of Chicago, the Daily Defender, Ida B. Wells, Columbus Park, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes.
Migrations: Detroit Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-06 | Between 1910 and 1970, nearly seven million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South. The so-called Great Migration was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. As these migrants moved to the urban areas of the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, they were met with new social hurdles. They were often forced to live in specific parts of the cities due to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying financial services based on race or ethnicity. The devalued real estate in the redlined areas was often used for municipal golf courses, which became cultural battlegrounds for courageous pioneers like Charlie Sifford in Philadelphia, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes in Chicago, Ben Davis in Detroit and Maggie Hathaway in Los Angeles. Fire Pit Productions spent two years going to these cities to interview Black Americans, many of whom were part of the Great Migration. After John Nichols and his team combed through 30 hours of footage and interviews, a clear picture emerges of these vibrant communities and the golfers who helped get us to where we are today.This is the story of Detroit, the Ford Motor Company, Rackham Golf Course and Ben Davis.
Migrations: Philadelphia Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-06 | Between 1910 and 1970, nearly seven million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South. The so-called Great Migration was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. As these migrants moved to the urban areas of the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, they were met with new social hurdles. They were often forced to live in specific parts of the cities due to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying financial services based on race or ethnicity. The devalued real estate in the redlined areas was often used for municipal golf courses, which became cultural battlegrounds for courageous pioneers like Charlie Sifford in Philadelphia, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes in Chicago, Ben Davis in Detroit and Maggie Hathaway in Los Angeles. Fire Pit Productions spent two years going to these cities to interview Black Americans, many of whom were part of the Great Migration. After John Nichols and his team combed through 30 hours of footage and interviews, a clear picture emerges of these vibrant communities and the golfers who helped get us to where we are today.This is the story of Philadelphia, Cobbs Creek and Charlie Sifford.
Migrations Fire Pit Productions 2025-03-06 | Between 1910 and 1970, nearly seven million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South. The so-called Great Migration was the largest mass exodus in U.S. history. As these migrants moved to the urban areas of the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, they were met with new social hurdles. They were often forced to live in specific parts of the cities due to "redlining," the discriminatory practice of denying financial services based on race or ethnicity. The devalued real estate in the redlined areas was often used for municipal golf courses, which became cultural battlegrounds for courageous pioneers like Charlie Sifford in Philadelphia, Bobby Anderson and Ted Rhodes in Chicago, Ben Davis in Detroit and Maggie Hathaway in Los Angeles. Fire Pit Productions spent two years going to these cities to interview Black Americans, many of whom were part of the Great Migration. After John Nichols and his team combed through 30 hours of footage and interviews, a clear picture emerges of these vibrant communities and the golfers who helped get us to where we are today.To watch this series, go to thefirepitproductions.com
Have You Talked to Fred? Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-27 | Fred Couples in Ashworth at the ‘92 Masters. If you know, you know. That win didn’t just cement his legacy, it made Ashworth a household name. When Fred returned, John’s decision was easy. In this episode, he talks about what it means to have him back — and why some things are just meant to be.
Virtues of The Game Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-13 | For John Ashworth, golf is more than a game, it’s a way of life. John reflects on the virtues of the game - why it humbles, connects and endures.“It always goes back to the Golfer’s Creed.”
WM’s Investment into Renewable Natural Gas Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-12 | In Part 3 of our education on how and why WM is impacting communities in Arizona and beyond, we’re going back to an area outside of Houston where your trash is being converted into renewable natural gas…In 2022, Waste Management changed their company name to WM, and after seeing this series, it’s easy to understand why—they are so much more than just waste managers, WM is very clearly an energy company.
WM’s Modern Landfills Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-12 | In part 2 of the most cyclical, impressive, enlightening and inspiring story arcs of how our trash becomes energy and gas, we’re going to an area outside of Houston to dig a little deeper…At Security Landfill, they estimate at least another 20 years of being able to pack and fill that land. Lisa Doughty told me that WM is responsible for that land for another 20 years after they close the gates to garbage trucks.
WM’s Working For Tomorrow Fund Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-12 | The WM Phoenix Open is a lightning bolt to the PGA Tour schedule and has been for the better part of three decades.We know a lot about what’s happening on the course but not enough about what happens in the community.We know a lot about the festive scene but not enough about what’s happening behind the scenes.In 2024, the WM Phoenix Open and the Thunderbirds raised $17.5 million. And since 2010, the tournament has raised more than $142 million for charities in and around Scottsdale and Arizona.
Bonfire: Pasatiempo Recap Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-12 | On Dec. 19, we hosted a Bonfire 2-Man at Pasatiempo in which 100 players got a first look at the recently restored greens. A special thank you to the club and membership for the hospitality. And to the sponsors, which included L.A.B. Golf (winners of gross and net divisions received putters), FlagBag (two closest to the pins on 8 and 18 received bags), Dormie Workshop (every player received a $75 gift card and winners received headcovers), Ashworth Golf Company (every player received a $50 gift card), Casa Maestri Tequila (every player received three bottles of swing oil), Broccoli Country Club (every player was given a nugget of high-grade herb), we also provided Bonfire hoodies and my buddy Noah Jackson gave everyone a “Sweaty,” which is a rosin bag to help battle sweaty hands and grips.I want to thank Jim Urbina, the architect who worked with Pasatiempo’s agronomy team and Earth Sculptures to complete such a masterful restoration of the original Dr. Alister MacKenzie greens. Urbina, Justin Mandon, the Pasatiempo Superintendent, and Brett Hochstein, a shaper who was brought in to help with, among other things, the greenside bunkers, were all on-site that day and joined me for a roundtable on the restoration, which was done after golf and during the dinner.All told, with golf, multiple meals, lots of drinks, trophies, cash payouts, gift bags, live music by Stephen Walsh and Bryan Lynch, and what turned out to be a perfect day and sunset, which we all watched from the Hollins House looking over the first hole and out to the Pacific Ocean, it was a beautiful Bonfire – a large controlled burn.Thanks to all who came out and participated and hope to see you and your friends at Bonfires in the future – most notably, Gamble Sands in July.
Bonfire: Gamble Sands Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-11 | Gamble Sands in Brewster, Wash., is quickly becoming one of the premier golf destinations in America. The original course was so good it earned architect David McLay Kidd the opportunity to build Mammoth Dunes for the Mike Keiser family at Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Then Kidd added a putting course and a par-3 course at Gamble, and now he and his associate, Nick Schaan, are about to unveil Scarecrow, a second 18-hole course. All of which are on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The setting is spectacular, they’ve just added more lodging, they continue to enhance the infrastructure and experience, and we, the consumer, wins. On July 12 thru 15, we’re hosting another Bonfire, which will include two rounds on Gamble Sands, one of the first looks at Scarecrow, a par-3 scramble tournament, a putting course tournament hosted by L.A.B. Golf, and a fireside roundtable with Kidd and his crew. The format for the 54-hole tournament is best-ball of two-person teams (gross and net) and will include trophies and cash prizes. All told, it’s 68 holes of golf and a putting tournament, three nights of lodging, seven meals and a $400 gift bag. We’re including fishing on the Columbia River as an option. We’re limiting it to 20 teams, so sign up sooner as opposed to later. Hope to see you there. Matt GinellaSIGN UP NOW at bonfire2man.com! (We’re capping it at 20 teams of two.)
BONFIRE: PASATIEMPO Fire Pit Productions 2025-02-11 | On Dec. 19, we hosted a Bonfire 2-Man at Pasatiempo in which 100 players got a first look at the recently restored greens. A special thank you to the club and membership for the hospitality. And to the sponsors, which included L.A.B. Golf (winners of gross and net divisions received putters), FlagBag (two closest to the pins on 8 and 18 received bags), Dormie Workshop (every player received a $75 gift card and winners received headcovers), Ashworth Golf Company (every player received a $50 gift card), Casa Maestri Tequila (every player with three little bottles of swing oil), Broccoli Country Club (every player was given a nugget of high-grade herb), we also provided Bonfire hoodies and my buddy Noah Jackson provided everyone with a “Sweaty,” which is a rosin bag to help battle sweaty hands and grips. I want to thank Jim Urbina, the architect who worked with Pasatiempo’s agronomy team and Earth Sculptures to complete such a masterful restoration of the original Dr. Alister MacKenzie greens. Urbina, Justin Mandon, the Pasatiempo Superintendent, and Brett Hochstein, a shaper who was brought in to help with, among other things, the greenside bunkers, were all on-site that day and joined me for a roundtable on the restoration, which was done after golf and during the dinner. All told, with golf, multiple meals, lots of drinks, trophies, cash payouts, gift bags, live music by Stephen Walsh, and what turned out to be a perfect day and sunset, which we all watched from the Hollins House looking over the first hole and out to the Pacific Ocean, it was a beautiful Bonfire – a large controlled burn. Thanks to all who came out and participated and hope to see you and your friends at Bonfires in the future – most notably, Gamble Sands in July. SIGN UP NOW at bonfire2man.com! (We’re capping it at 20 teams of two.) Matt Ginella
Whats in a Name? Fire Pit Productions 2025-01-28 | "If you put your name on something, you have no other option but to work ten-times harder."As John Ashworth comes back to the company he founded in 1987, you can follow along at www.ashworth-golf.com.
Fashion Caddie Fire Pit Productions 2025-01-28 | Who doesn't need a fashion caddie? As John Ashworth comes back to the company he founded in 1987, you can follow along at www.ashworth-golf.com.
Where Have You Been Fire Pit Productions 2025-01-28 | Among many other things, John Ashworth, the fashion icon, has spent the last ten years resurrecting Goat Hill Park in Oceanside, Calif. What was an underachieving community asset has become a thriving hub of goodness. And now he brings that community mentality and vibe back to the Ashworth Golf Company. To follow along, go to www.ashworth-golf.com.
Ashworth Back to Ashworth Fire Pit Productions 2025-01-28 | Why is John Ashworth, the fashion icon, coming back to the company he founded in 1987?Let's start with: It's his name.As John brings the brand back to prominence, you can follow along at www.ashworth-golf.com.
Wishbone Brawl VII: John Ashworth and Bill Murray Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-11 | John Ashworth and Bill Murray are kindred spirits. What might occasionally seem to be lost in the translation of life, they actually have it figured out. Especially as it relates to golf, Goat Hill Park, community and a safe-haven for kids. This was Murray’s first time playing in the Wishbone Brawl, which raises money for North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. In the final installment of the series of videos recapping the Brawl, which was won by Chris Riley and Janae Leovao, Ashworth tells the story of how he met and became friends with Murray. To get involved, donate or bid on almost 100 items in the online auction, which ends Dec. 11 at 9pmPST, go to NCJGA.com. 🙏
Wishbone Brawl VII: Bill Murray Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-09 | With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Bill Murray. The iconic actor and entertainer has been supporting John Ashworth’s efforts to revitalize a community asset for over a decade, and on Nov. 23, Murray showed up and did what Murray does best: make people laugh. He also gave hugs, posed for selfies and signed countless autographs. Murray partnered with Leta Lindley, the reigning U.S. Senior Women’s Open Champion, and the twosome came up a little short on the 4,500-yard par-65 municipal where locals can pay $35 to walk on weekends. All proceeds of the Wishbone Brawl go to North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. To get involved, make a donation or bid on almost 100 items/offers, the online auction at NCJGA.com is open until Dec. 11. As Murray says: “If it weren’t for John Ashworth, you could have an indoor soccer stadium right here!”🙏
Wishbone Brawl VII: Chris Riley Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-09 | With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Chris Riley, a San Diego native who spent 13 years on the PGA Tour and was recently the head coach of the USD Men’s Golf Team from 2017 until 2023. Riley, always a crowd favorite, was back to the Goat to play in another Wishbone Brawl where he teamed up with Janae Leovao and the team won the exhibition by several shots. As you’ll see, he nearly aced the third hole, he chipped in for another eagle on the 10th and as a scramble team, they finished 12-under. To get involved, make a donation to North County Junior Golf, Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy or bid on a golf trip, club-fitting, dinner, Padres tickets and a lot more, the online auction is at NCJGA.com and is open until Dec. 11. As Riles says: “This place is special. If it says ‘junior golf,’ there’s no hesitation, I’m coming to help support.” 🙏
Wishbone Brawl VII: The Leovao Twins Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-05 | Around Goat Hill Park, they’re known as “The Twins.” Jasmine and Janae Leovao, like Leta Lindley, are home-grown and are making the course and community proud as they’re on full scholarships at Long Beach State. In their second Wishbone Brawl, they showed up and showed out. Jasmine played with Kelly Slater, Janae with Chris Riley. As products of North County Junior Golf and Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy, the beneficiaries of the Brawl and the online auction (NCJGA.com), it’s very cool to see them in front of this crowd and competing with pros and celebrities. Also cool: they appreciate the community support as much as the community appreciates them and their family. Janae and Riley were the winners of this year’s Wishbone Brawl.🏆
Restoring Pasatiempos 16th Green Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-05 | As Pasatiempo reopens all 18 greens, recently restored by Jim Urbina, Earth Sculptures and Justin Mandon, Fire Pit Productions is preparing a multi-part video series on exactly what they’ve done to each putting surface through the lens of the 16th green. From peeling back the fat and an archaeological dig into the nearly 100 years of history and information, Urbina and team let us look over their shoulders for a mind-bending reveal of what goes into the restoration of Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Marion Hollins' semi-private masterpiece tucked into the hills of Santa Cruz.
Wishbone Brawl VII: Kelly Slater Fire Pit Productions 2024-12-04 | With Wishbone Brawl VII in the books, we’re looking back on the annual event with a highlight reel of the participants. Next up, Kelly Slater, the G.O.A.T. at The Goat. The 11-time surf champion can often be seen in Oceanside and on the range, honing his game and supporting the community and kids. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Slater partnered with Jasmine Leovao to help raise money for North County Junior Golf and the Goat’s Junior Caddie & Leadership Academy. To get involved, make a donation or bid on a Slater signed portrait, golf trips, club-fittings, dinners, Padres tickets and a lot more, the online auction at NCJGA.com is open until Dec. 11. As Slater says: “If this is what muny golf was all around the country, all around the world, there’d be a lot more people playing golf.” 🐐
