Fun Starts Now

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP
by Ambassador of Fun Michael Fechter

There's only one Malibu. And there's only one place as perfect as Malibu Country Club. Just miles outside the noise, confusion and traffic of L.A., you can escape to Malibu Country Club in minutes.

Although it seems like this would be an uber-private club for Billionaires, Malibu C.C. is actually an affordable daily fee site...that you can afford to play. Malibu Country Club is probably the greatest bargain in golf. And I might not have ever even seen it if I hadn't been hired as their "Ambassador of Fun".

Even after years in Los Angeles as a comedian, writer and Orphan worker, I had never seen the course. Back in those days, when I felt stressed out by the city of Los Angeles, I would head to haunts in Malibu just 10 miles up the coast. I was probably in Malibu three times a week as I've always had a low threshold for stress.

Back then, Malibu for me, was fish tacos at The Reel Inn and sneaking on to private beaches at Paradise Cove with a pretty girl. We would often bump into Johnny Carson, Cher or Diana Ross who figured we must have belonged there. People are nicer to you when you're with a pretty girl, I've noticed.

Sure, I'd heard of Malibu Country Club and how it was high on a mountaintop overlooking the hues of blue that is the Pacific Ocean but I had never seen it. My mind was on pretty girls and the ocean, not golf. My mistake.

Malibu Country Club is perfect. Everything about it, on every level, is perfect. Affordable (less than $80 per person), pristine and magnificent. Malibu Country Club could not be a better experience. Even the story of how Malibu Country Club came into existence, to be the first and ONLY golf course allowed in Malibu, is perfectly...well, Malibu.

In 1977, a group of Japanese Monks went to the Malibu Planning Commission and told them that golf was an integral part of their religion. As part of their religion, and as a tribute to God, they desired to build a golf course high along the Mulholland mountain ridge overlooking the aqua marine Pacific.

Although there was exactly zero "development" in this area, not a house, hotel, youth hostel or even cowboy camp....the Board ok'd the building of Malibu Country Club. All under the very strict and dignified rules of the Monks.

Just as in 1977, there still are no homes or other buildings as far as the eye can see from any vantage point of Malibu Country Club. A most unusual site in today's world of golf where courses are often built specifically to sell houses and condos that line every inch of every fairway.

Golf at Malibu Country Club is the way that golf once was without Homeowner Associations ruling every aspect of a Golfers day.

And when I say that the Monks were strict, I mean it. Under their rule, there was a "No cursing" policy, thankfully no longer in effect given my propensity to skull wedges.

The General Manager at Malibu, Dan Meherin, tells me about the time that he was about 12 playing with his Dad and some 300 pound stranger when on #2 the 300 pound Dude hit a horrific shot and cursed loudly concerning his lack of talent. From out in the bushes, in an orange robe, came a tiny, old Japanese Monk. He told the giant of a man that he must leave the property.

In no uncertain terms, the beast of a dude told the Monk to "Back off. And get lost.", perhaps not that politely. The Monk scurried back to the bushes and play continued. About 30 minutes later the Monk returned... with a Malibu Sheriff. The Sheriff escorted the now gentle giant of the holy site that is Malibu Country Club.

Dan told me that months later he and his Dad saw the gargantuan golfer beating balls at a range in the Valley. The guy said that after a formal letter of apology and personal meeting with the Head Monk, he was once again allowed at Malibu Country. Personally, based on this story, I now believe that ALL Marshall's should be kindly Japanese Monks.

Honestly, if God were to build a golf course, He would build Malibu Country Club. Alright, lets not quibble, HE did build Malibu Country Club and the Monks simply laid grass and bunkers to what glory was already there.

Malibu Country Club is sculpted from the pitches of hills and valleys that is at the absolute zenith of Point Dume.

To get to Malibu C.C., starting on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, right before Zuma Beach, you drive straight up the mountain for what seems like 5 miles up. You'll pass scores of look out points to the Pacific, horse ranches and vineyards and you may want to stop and buy local strawberries or cherries from roadside vendors. It's a fantastic day before you even get to Malibu Country Club.

The drive to Malibu Country Club is worth more than the greens fee.

And once you cross the gate of Malibu C.C.'s property the experience gets even better for Golfer's, Nature Lover's or Eater's. The course of Malibu is magnificent. Drives soar into valleys. You will hit shots that are unimaginable. Going up one tremendous hill to the tee box, an adage came to mind "The road to the top is often difficult. But the view is unforgettable." Without a home on the course or within sight, all the views of Malibu C.C. are unforgettable.

This will give you an exact idea of how perfect every day is at Malibu Country Club.

The General Manager of the club is a handsome six foot 5 inch afore mentioned Dan Meherin. Dan grew up playing the course with his Dad who lives nearby. Dan is funny, loved by everyone, married to a girl that looks like a young Nicole Kidman and has a handsome brood of children. I hate Dan Meherin for all of the reasons listed above.

Any way, Dan starting working on the course at 16 as a Cart Boy and has held every single job at the club from Pro Shop Manager to Restaurant Manager to Tournament Director to his present top job as General Manager. Dan is so loved by the members and guests of Malibu that his real office is a table in the corner of the restaurant. He never seems to make it back to his actual office.

As Dan and I sat in the restaurant eating Rosa's delicious preparations and being served by Chrissy who looks as if he was created in a lab using gene splices from a young Bo Derek, we both laughed. "This really is as good as life gets isn't it?", I said out loud. Dan didn't even bother to answer for a minute. He let it all soak in. The fading sunset, the happiness of ALL the members and guests and said "Why do you think this is the only job I have ever had?".

There's probably some place better on our planet than Malibu Country Club. I've simply never seen it.

You deserve some days at Malibu Country Club. Come join us. The fun starts now.