With winter in full swing, the perfect sojourn is undoubtedly a golf holiday. But, before embarking, it is imperative to make sure that you’re equipped with the best new gear for 2009. Though many companies have offered electric golf carts, none have been able to fuse fashion and function like British golf company, Stewart, and their latest invention proves this. The F1 Lithium Pull Cart is the most luxurious on the market, offering as sleek aesthetic while offering optimum function. The integrated lithium ion battery has enough juice for just over 36 holes, allowing enthusiast to play from dawn until dusk. The built-in screen tracks the exact playing time and many other details. With the typical golfers lifestyle in mind, the cart was designed to be easily portable, and fits in the trunk of even the smallest sports car. Those interested should make their purchase quickly, as the limited quantity is nearly sold out.

The East Hampton Town Board has authorized the Town Attorney’s office to move forward with any and all legal action necessary in an action against billionaire investor Ron Baron for disturbances to the Atlantic Double Dune system that may have resulted from the construction of a wall along the southern side of his property at 260 Further Lane. Baron bought the 40-acre property for $103 million in 2007, marking the largest residential real estate deal in American history, and began construction on a home and guest house, which included a retaining wall along the southern border of the property. This wall just so happens to buffer a 3,000-year-old double dune system that stretches across 200 acres from Old Beach Lane to Atlantic Avenue. According to a town official, Baron would have had to apply for a natural resources special permit before beginning any work near the dunes, as the Town of East Hampton has made a special effort to protect dune habitats since the inception of the Natural Resources Department in 1984. Baron has asserted that his crews were told they didn’t need said permit. Nevertheless, the two parties agreed to some size reduction of the wall and replanting of vegetation, though they differ on the extent and method of the removal process. Now they’re going through the machinations of a workable resolution, but if that winds up at an impasse, and since the town can’t mandate remediation, it would have to take the issue to the Riverhead Supreme Court. That’s a costly option for the town when dealing with a financial heavyweight like Baron. We’ll keep you posted on what develops from any upcoming meetings.

http://cityfile.com/dailyfile/3752

This renovated Mediterranean estate has stunning water views. The 7 bedroom, 8 plus bath and 7,888 square foot residence rests on more than 53,700 square feet with 118 feet of waterfront. (more…)

According to sources via the New York Observer, Bronx Bomber Hideki Matsui has purchased a 3-bed, 2,675-square-foot penthouse at the Heritage for $10.5 million. one of the high-rises in the Trump Place development on Riverside Boulevard. An apparent loyal lover of Trump properties, records show that he still owns a 52nd-floor apartment at Trump World Tower, for which Matsui paid $3,157,900 in 2005. The sellers are Deborah and Broadway mogul Rocco Landesman (Angels in America, Proof, the Producers), who bought the pad two and a half years ago for less than $4.3 million. Matsui’s agent has remained hush-hush, and his broker, Donna Olshan, denied that he bought a condo. What raises an eyebrow is that the 34-year-old Matsui, better known to fans as Godzilla, has been the subject of odd man out speculation. The lefty left fielder, who graciously donated half a million towards charity relief for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, is facing playing time issues due to the $180 million megadeal singed by Mark Texiera. More suited to play Designated Hitter after coming back from knee surgery, Matsui has to battle Nick Swisher and Johnny Damon for at bats. As well, the San Francisco Giants have been long known to have an interest in him. We’ll keep you updated.

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/godzilla-slugger-matsui-pays-10-5-m-trump-place-penthouse

Last winter, we featured the global society event that takes place every year on the ice in St. Moritz:  Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow. This winter, those ponies can take a break from the ice and get their trot on in the desert in Dubai. British automaker Land Rover is sponsoring the inaugural Desert Palm Nations Polo Cup, which will debut this Friday. With the City State’s mega-themed properties (Dubai Sports City comes to mind), it is no wonder that there is an entire resort dedicated to the pony riding sport. The Desert Palm, Dubai, a Per AQUUM Resort & Spa, is lauded as the first dedicated boutique polo spa resort in the world. With this match serving as the official launch of the resort, they are bringing in the big guns. Adolfo Cambiaso, the No. 1 polo player in the world, will be representing the UAE team in his first Middle East match. The tournament is set to be an annual affair, and, as polo matches are, whether in the Hamptons or in St. Moritz, the social highlight of the season.

Via Luxist

Once again moving the Miami cultural scene forward, Gary Nader Fine Art opens a group exhibition that centers around Cundo Bermudez, celebrating the best in Cuban art this Saturday, with a reception from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. The show honors the fertile career of Bermudez, and his contribution to the island’s art by showcasing an outstanding selection of works from renowned modern and contemporary Cuban artists: Ángel Acosta León, Alejandro Aguilera, Carlos Alfonzo, Pedro Álvarez, Jose Bedia, Alfredo Caballero, Agustin Cardenas, Mario Carreño, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Carlos Enríquez, Agustín Fernández, Gay García, Wifredo Lam, Julio Larraz, Víctor Manuel, Armando Mariño, Manuel Mendive, Amelia Peláez, René Portocarrero, Carlos Quintana, Mariano Rodríguez, Tomas Sánchez, and Rafael Soriano. This group exhibition, Homage to Cundo Bermudez, will pay tribute to the last master of the second 20th century Cuban modernist generation that also produced well-known artists such as Mario Carreño, Mariano Rodriguez and Rene Portocarrero, among others. Bermudez (founding member of the Asociación de Pintores y Escultores de Cuba, created in 1949) was an active part of the new avant-garde and thus the process of the continued modernization of Cuban art during the 1940s and 1950s. His canvases, which have a great significance in the chromatic range of modern Cuban painting, are a synthesis of the color and luminosity of iconic individuals, sites, and musical scenes, revealing the character and national identity of his homeland. In addition: Acosta Leon and his quotidian objects (Fragmento de Guarapera), Carreño’s explosion of vivid color, tropical fruits, flowers, rural characters, and powerful and dynamic compositions (Búcaro, 1943), the symbolism, natural sensuality, and transparencies of Carlos Enriquez (La Fuite, 1945), Lam’s imagery and symbols from Afro-Cuban culture and religions, hybrid figure, part human/animal and vegetal elements (Deux Personnages et un Oiseau, 1957). And what’s more, the show will be open and free to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6 PM (Mondays by appointment only) until the end of February 2009. The gallery is located at 62 NE 27th Street in Miami.

For the many, many men out there who have long lusted after one of Hollywood’s greatest beauties, Jessica Alba, rejoice. The Italian-based alcohol conglomerate, Campari, has chosen Alba to be the face of its 2009 limited edition calendar. Each year, Campari chooses a raving beauty to grace the calendar, and Alba certainly measures up despite her recent pregnancy. Other faces of the campaign have included famed beauties, models, and sex icons Salma Hayek, Caralino Bittencourt, Martina Colombari, Elena Rosenkova, and many more. The culmination of famed photographer Mario Testino, French advertising guru Jean-Paul Goude, and of course, Alba, resulted in a visual depiction of the fantastical idea of the Club Campari femme fatal. “The idea is an exciting destination where magic and temptation prevail in a sophisticated, but playful atmosphere.” The calendar has become renowned for its fantasy dream-like shoots, and this year’s is no different. The 9th edition calendar is, as in years past, limited to 9,999 and is nearly sold out.

The art of collecting has metamorphosed into a newfangled way to showcase ones affluence, and extends far beyond the realm of stamps. Currently, AbeBooks is the possessor of some of the globes most highly coveted collectibles, original Atlases. Their current offerings of historic map filled books include “An Atlas of England and Wales” buy Christopher Saxton. Each map inside bears Queen Elizabeth’s coat of arms as a symbol of her supervision and endorsement and dates back to 1574. For $750,000 this piece of history can be yours. If money is no object, then “Ptolemy’s First Atlas” would make an excellent purchase for any antique book aficionado. The text was published 10 years prior to explorer Christopher Columbus’s first expedition to the Americas in 1492 and bears a lofty price tag of  $1.8 million. Other non-atlas texts include “The Origin of Species” by the father of evolution, Charles Darwin, for $179,000 and Jane Austen’s “Emma” for $529,000.

At a Tokyo fish auction on Monday, a delicious Japanese bluefin tuna fetched more than $100,000, the highest in nearly a decade (and several times the average price according to market official Takashi Yoshida). Caught off the northern coast of Oma, the 282 pounder went for 9.63 million yen ($104,700). It was the most expensive chicken of the sea since another bluefin snagged 20 million yen, thus scaling the all-time record. Monday’s buy went to a Hong Kong sushi bar owner and, interestingly, his Japanese competitor. Apparently the two joined forces to share the big fish, all $370 per pound of him. It’s not the Hong Kong buyer’s first rodeo, as he also paid the highest price at last year’s New Year event at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, the world’s largest fish seller. As a comparison, in another monday auction, a slightly bigger imported bluefin caught off of our eastern shores took in 1.42 million yen, which is $15,400. Typical Tokyo fish market tuna prices are less than $25 per pound, but bluefins are arguably the best. They also have a certain advertising value, underscoring the quality of the restaurant slicing it up, akin to a restaurant known for rare wine. And due to rough seas at December’s end, there were only three Oma bluefins at auction, compared to 41 last year, therefore adding to the exclusivity of the delicacy.

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2009/01/05/the-100000-tuna-fish/

The luxury real estate market continues to breathe, so says Josh Barbanel of the New York time’s Big Deal blog. Barbanel points out that “someone still has money,” and as evidence cites to the (possibly) highest priced condo (per square foot) transaction to ever occur in New York City: a 15 CPW 38th floor 3-bedder with 2,848 square feet that sold for $27 million ($9,840) to an undisclosed buyer. The crib has 14-foot ceilings and enormous windows affording 3-sided views, with a living room looking south over the Big Apple, a Central Park-facing master bedroom, and two other bedrooms facing the Hudson. The unloader was Richard T. Fields (casino resort developer), who recently took a $316 roll on the Trump Marina hotel and casino in AC. Fields bought the apartment for $13.35 million in March ‘06, while the building was under construction, and put it on the market for $35 million last June, immediately upon closing on it. Many were shocked at the exorbitant asking price, and Fields wound up reducing it by 23 percent. Yet it still set a record. It shows that deals are still getting done, just at lower prices. And Barbonel continues on this theme, pointing out that while hedge funders and bankers have been quiet on the housing front, other well-to do professionals have been filling the void, especially on properties that are priced to sell (read: properly).

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/realestate/04deal1.html?_r=2&ref=realestate