By Kevin Scott

Imagine a fresh piece of apricot pie, smothered in vanilla ice cream and washed down with a cold glass of milk. If that got your juices flowing just like Pavlov's Dogs, then you need to take a short drive, southbound on I-5 to the "Apricot Capitol of the World," Patterson, California. Not only is the small agricultural community home of the annual "Patterson Apricot Festival," it also lays claim to the Diablo Grande Resort, as its neighbor.

Diablo Grande Resort is located six miles west of Patterson in the historic ranchlands of Stanislaus County. Native oaks and wildlife, golden hillsides and vineyards populate the surrounding area. The resort also features two award-winning golf courses, The Ranch Course and The Legends Course.

Award winning architect Dennis Griffiths designed the Ranch Course. Bunkers, rolling terrain, and water provide a wonderful array of challenges on the Ranch Course. The course is designed to play 7,200 yards. It plays long and narrow making accuracy the name of the game. The greens are well maintained and quick. “Golf Today” has rated the 18-hole, par 72 course one of the top Northern California courses. The Ranch Course signature hole is the 650 yard, 12th, "The Mustang." The narrow fairway, creeks and 400 year-old oaks will test your nerve. Three long, well played shots are required to reach the well-bunkered green. It is the hardest par five I have experienced in years. A par will feel like a birdey! Don't let this wonderful track fall off your list of courses to play!

Co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gene Sarazen, the Legends Course has a heritage as distinguished as the game itself. This par 72, features bent grass greens with rye fairways and tees. It plays to 7112 yards and is dominated by dramatic vistas, rolling hillsides, vineyards and canyons carved by time and Mother Nature. Gene Sarzen said, "It was a pleasure and an honor to be able to be part of the Legends Club at Diablo Grande. To be able to collaborate with Jack Nicklaus in building a truly great golf course in one of the most beautiful settings nature could provide, it is a fitting sunset

for my career." The Legends is the members' course at Diablo Grande and is closed on weekends to the public. Approximately 100 members, who have paid the $1200.00 annual fee and monthly dues of $250.00, get the course to themselves. The Legends course is one of the best in California and was rated in the top 100 in the United States in 2004! This course takes golf to extraordinary heights!

Shane Balfour, Director of Golf, is responsible for the everyday operations of the two courses and pro shop. Shane has been a member of the P.G.A. since 1975, and along with his Assistant Pro, Adam Marable, is passionate about preserving the classic values of the game. You will find everything you need in the expansive 18,000 square foot ranch-style clubhouse, which includes the pro-shop, a restaurant and bar, locker rooms and lounges for both men and women. A pool and tennis court is available for the family, while Mom and Dad are enjoying a day on the green. The well-appointed Golf Shop carries a variety of golf apparel for both men and women. Golf lessons are available for both the public and members.

All of this is under the direct supervision of Mr. Greg May, General Manager. Greg is from Los Positas and has been at Diablo Grande for one year. His expertise is the Restaurant Industry. A bright future for Diablo Grande is assured with Greg at the helm. Danny Moak is the course superintendent and works closely with both Shane and Greg. He started on the Legends Course and three years ago took over both courses. He hails from Stevenson Ranch in Fresno. The wonderful condition of both courses attests to Danny's love of his job and the game!

When you have a restaurant, a chef has to come with it! Diablo Grande stepped to the forefront when the club engaged Chef Shan Wallwork. Shan graduated from the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Honolulu. He has been in the industry for ten years, spending the last six months at Diablo Grande. His specialty is Classic French and Pacific Rim entrées and I can attest to Shan's wonderful abilities!

With food comes wine! The Diablo Grande Vineyards cover 36 acres with wine grapes on the western slope of the Diablo Range. In June 1998, Diablo Grande was approved as California's 78th and Stanislaus County's 101st American Viticulture Area. The approval certifies Diablo Grande as a separate and unique grape-growing region and allows them to offer "Estate Bottled" wines. Since 1997, the wines have been bottled and produced by Isom Ranch Winery. The ranch is located about 8 miles from Diablo Grande and is approximately 800 feet higher in elevation. Public access is not allowed. The Winery's first entry into wine competition, kicked off in 2000, by winning 3 medals and 2 best of class awards for the "98" vintage! This was an excellent beginning for the wines of the Diablo Grande Appellation.

Plans at the Winery & Resort include The Diablo Grande Hotel, Conference Center and The Chateau E'lan Spa. Designed to pamper the guest, these elegant facilities will provide an exquisite respite for body, mind and soul.

Diablo Grande was meant to remain in balance with the serenity of its beautiful surroundings.

The people at Diablo Grande are committed to making it an address you will be proud to call home. Preliminary pricing estimates for custom home sites range from the mid $200,000 to high $600,000. For more information contact Mr. Lois Chiapperel, Realtor, at (661) 747-5722.

The Ranch and Legends Courses are open 7 days a week. Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance. All starting times must be guaranteed by credit card. The 2007 golf rates include range balls and golf cart.

Discover the extraordinary world of Diablo Grande, a master planned community, resort & winery. "A spacious place, a gracious lifestyle...a place to call home."

For more information on Diablo Grande please contact (209) 892-GOLF. Diablo Grande Winery & Resort, 9521 Morton Davis Drive, Diablo Grande, Ca. 95363. (209) 892-4653 or 892-2497. Web site is www.DiabloGrande.com

(COPPEROPOLIS, Calif.) – Castle & Cooke – purveyor of high-end resort, residential communities and commercial centers – today announces that its neo-traditional “country town, “Copperopolis Town Square”, will host Hot Copper Nights, a vintage car show sponsored by the Lake Tulloch Lions Club of Calaveras County on August 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pre-registration entry fees are $15, and $20 at the gate, day-of-admission. Awards will be given for first and second place in each car class, with judging taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. The first 80 entries will receive free souvenir dash plaques, courtesy of Copperopolis Town Square, and all attendees will receive free canvas totes from the Copperopolis Area Business Association (CABA) containing coupons from local businesses.

“We are excited to team with the Lion’s Club to provide an attractive, safe venue for Hot Copper Nights”, says David Haley, Vice President of Castle & Cooke Calaveras, Inc. “The event is the first of many for Copperopolis Town Square, which we envision becoming the recreational and retail heart of the Copper Valley”.

Drinks and food will be available for purchase with live musical entertainment in Copperopolis Town Square’s recently completed town center park. “Coming Soon” signs in the storefronts will inform attendees walking the town’s pedestrian-friendly streets about future retail and restaurant tenants. Proceeds from Hot Cooper Nights are re-invested in the community, providing scholarships and support from local children.

Located off California State Highway 4 just four miles from the 900-acre, Castle & Cooke owned Saddle Creek Resort, Copperopolis Town Square is conveniently positioned between the Bay Area to the west and the abundant outdoor and adventure opportunities of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the east. It is approximately two hours from San Francisco, 1.5 hours from Sacramento and 45 minutes from Stockton. The historic towns of the “Mother Lode” – Angels Camp, Sonora and Murphys – are just minutes away.

For more information or to register, call 209.785.4222 or 209.785.0537.

For more information about Copperopolis Town Square, including leasing and real estate opportunities, visit www.CoppperopolisTownSquare.com, or email CopperopolisTownSquare@CastleCooke.com or call 866.276.4235.