GMAC Goes Nona Blue

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Lake Nona’s newest restaurant, Nona Blue is launching its modern tavern concept March 15, 2013 with local resident Graeme McDowell one of the principal owners.

McDowell gave the concept its name after a victory at the 2012 Tavistock Cup at Lake Nona and dressed in Team Nona blue, McDowell shouted, “Nona Blue!” to supporters and a new eatery’s name was born.

The restaurant’s decor has a updated clubby vibe with exposed brick and dark mahogany and has a 40-seat bar, two captain’s tables, wrap-around booth seating throughout and a seating area with drawn curtains for private dining. An outdoor patio features additional seating, a fireplace and bar.

Menu items include deviled eggs with apple wood smoked bacon, lightly fried oysters, blue cheese kettle chips, a BLT grilled cheese, steaks, fresh fish and a cider-brined pork rib chop. The bar boasts seasonal cocktails and more than 50 different wines and 16 craft beers.

Bill Bona and Joe Davi are principal owners with McDowell.

GMAC has partnered with Bistro Concepts, LLC, and the group has signed a lease for a 5,618 square-foot restaurant at its retail shopping center Lake Nona Village, located on Narcoossee Road between the entrances to the renowned Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and NorthLake Park.

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McGinley Withdraws from Hassan II

Paul McGinley has withdrawn from the Hassan II Trophy citing tiredness.

McGinley had competed in the two-day Tavistock Cup in Florida earlier this week and only arrived into Agadir late on the evening before the event.

But after arriving to the Moroccan course early on Friday and learning of the delay he advised officials he was struggling in sleeping and withdrew.

The Dubliner was seven over par at the time and left Agadir headed for Marrakech for a flight back to the UK. The next event is the Sicilian Open.

Having undergone treatment on his left knee in the off-season he has played in just two events,  missing the cut in Qatar and finishing 14th place in the Avantha Masters in India,

McGinley is still under the orders of his doctor - Dr. Andrew Unwin - to ‘stagger’ his new season.

“I didn’t have an operation but I did have some small procedures on it like draining fluid off it,” said McGinley earlier this year.

“It was just six weeks of total rest with no golf at all.

“I am disappointed every week I can’t play because I still have a real desire to play but I don’t want to go at it to hell for leather starting off and the advice I’ve been given is to have one week on and then one week off and so on.

“The doctor’s informed me it is a maintenance thing of easing myself back into competition full time. 

“Hopefully by the end of March or early April I will be able to play three to four in a row but I will still play 18 events this year.”

Fatiha Betscher (www.golfbytourmiss.com)