Bring Your Own Cart to the Mexican Open | Adventures in Golf Season 6
The unofficial birthplace of Disneyland. Catalina welcomes more than a million tourists per year, and it’s easy to see why. The place is perfect… almost too perfect as Erik Anders Lang finds on this Adventures in Golf, presented by United.
Just outside Catalina’s main strip of shops, sights and funnel cake lies the oldest course west of the Mississippi (depending on who you ask). Today, Catalina Island Golf Course is a fun, narrow and beautiful nine-hole with impressive views.
It’s also host to the “Mexican Open,” a bi-weekly shotgun tourney put on by the locals that Erik experienced for himself.
While the “Mexican Open” is awesome, is just a blink into the course’s deep, rich history.
What started as a three-hole course in the late 1892 was upgraded into a nine-hole course in 1894. Thanks to William Wrigley Jr. (see: Wrigley Gum), it became an 18-hole course in 1928 until it was reverted back to the nine we play today during WW2.
The course was host to a pro event hosted by one of the true GOATs. The Bobby Jones Invitational Tournament, which started in 1931 and played its last round in 1955.
Golf’s greatest have teed it up here at one point or another, including Tiger Woods, who played it first when he was 4 and again at 14.
While touring the area, Erik meets living Latino legend Lolo Saldana at his barber shop. At 97-years-old (as of filming in 2021) Lolo is as sharp as the scissors he uses to cut hair with. He shares classic stories about his pro days playing against Ken Venturi and how Catalina evolved into the idyllic landmark we see today.
Oh, and if you’re into mariachi music, definitely stick around until the end.
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42 Comments
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so who plays during the time when they are working lol
So is Javier on Spotify 🔥?
Beautiful ending!
Awesome content EAL and team. Warms the heartstrings 😀. What a place ..What people!
That watch was given to him by his soon to be ex wife not his cheap ass dad.
That is the best golf to me….casual a group of mates getting out and having a hit…no pretentious elite standards. Perfect as the game should be for the local golfer….
That final scene. Legend.
the Anthony Bourdain of golf !!! … very nice episode, thx
Surprised you didn't make it to the Fucking Catalina Wine Mixer.
Can’t believe I just learnt where sh*t came from
great job using the CD Looks and sounds beautiful
Lolo looks sharp for 97, he’s enjoying every minute of it! I want to be a barber so that’s cool to see him still doing it at that age and being able to do it and move like he does
Javier killed that shit!
What an awesome video.
This is exactly what golf should be….come as you are…..no bs 'must have collars, shorts must be below knees, everybody needs to have their own clubs….'. I play off 2 and have become so sick of the upturned noses and sideways glances of the country club type that I just about want to give up playing. Why can't we let people come out and let people have fun and enjoy the game!! A couple of weeks ago, I drove two hours, played a well repudiated golf course in the Sandhills area of NC, paid $250, played okay, broke 80 and didn't even enjoy myself……..went home, next day went to a local university course, which you can just barely call a golf course, had the best time playing the nine holes there…..I saw a dad with his son in a wheel chair playing – dad would drop a ball on the green, give his son the putter and let him putt the ball the ball around…..I was playing behind them and was happier watching that than if I had hit the purest 4 iron on my life. I thank you for this series, you have brought me happiness with your videos and all of the wonderful stories about people who love golf as a community activity.
its insane to me how little is Eriks view clout. this is Netflix level of show.
I like to think that Erik and team did what Anthony Bourdain did with "No Reservations", but for golf. The stories he shares and the way he narrates during each episode is incredibly awesome and soothing at the same time. This is hands down one of the best shows on YT.
I love how you included javier’s music in the video, such a small detail but probably meant a lot to him, i love it.
The narrative, history, the humanity, the scenery, the humor, and of course, the GOLF. Not too long or too short. Golfer or not, this is storytelling at its best. I'm so glad to have run into this channel. My only misfortune is having found it Sunday night. I'll try to sneak in a watch during my lunch break. 👍
Sign that kid up in the blue shirt. Should be on the tour.
Great episode. Where can we find Javier's CD/music?
I hope Freddy is still playing, he has a great natural swing!
Erik…BRAVO!
Dang masks outside. Y’all look crazy.
I am sitting in Coyote Joe’s on Avalon as I type this, and the entire crew is here planning the next Mexican open. Would love to be part of this crew!
Years ago a salesman from a helicopter leasing company invited me to a wine mixer held on the island. There I heard a man sing the most beautiful rendition of "Por ti volare" I have ever heard. It was like hearing an angel sing. The drummer played a pretty kick-ass solo as well.
This one hit me as if you were channeling Bourdain. I like that. Thanks for the visit to Catalina.
Absolutely loved this episode. Im from South OC and have never learned the story of the little island not too far away. Really enjoyed the perspective you were able to show us about the island and the life it has. Amazing storytelling, thanks for sharing
‘That fight club nod’ so perfect
What driver is that at 18:20?
Watching this now, how many people that were previously brainwashed realize how stupid people look wearing masks outside on a damn boat?
“ITS THE FU*KING CATALINA WINE MIXER.”
Play traditional Mexican music to end this video is truly something special, thank you
I watched the entire 8th season on United entertainment over 3 trips. I have been binge watching episodes in random order. I was already invested in this series; but somehow at 25:22 my senses were heighted. The 1st notes start at 25:49 just sent me to another place emotionally. Your team's work is award winning. I'm not sure how we as a community can evangelize this beyond 234k subscribers.
22:59 Look at the wear in the drawer behind him. I wonder how long electrical cords for his tools were rubbing on it to wear it down like that. He's a real OG pro golfer and barber!! Long live Lolo!
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Fantastic stuff
Best YouTube series out there!!! Please keep telling peoples stories!
It’s a damn shame these videos only have 200k views, I’ve been obsessed with the channel for a while and they deserve so much more. The quality of the videos are worthy of there own tv show
Stuff like the details about how he wears his watch is why I keep coming back… you and your team are truly incredible
You’re movie references are unmatched sir 🫡😂