SeeCalifornia.com

Phil Mickelson put the world in a tizzy more than once this past week. He just missed scoring a 59 when his birdie putt on his final hole lipped out, forcing him to settle for an 11-under 60 and the first-round lead at the Phoenix Open golf tournament yesterday. That excitement followed on the heels of his comment this week that Prop. 30 is forcing him and other high-earners to consider moving out of California.  A new law voters approved retroactively slapped heftier 2012 taxes on California’s wealthiest earners, though all Californians are now paying a quarter-cent more in sales tax. He was just being honest, but Mickelson retracted his comment about moving. Still, his sentiment resonates with those who have already purchased homes in other states with less or no income tax, while keeping their California residences and continuing to live in them a portion of the year, avoiding state income tax because the homes are not a primary residence.

Mickelson is doing great and earning lots of money, which means more of his earnings go to the State of California. After he wraps up the Phoenix tourney, he’ll return in just over a week to play in the annual Northern Trust golf tournament in Southern California. The 2008 and 2009 winner of the Northern Trust competes on Feb. 12-17, 2013 (last year Bill Haas won the 2012 tournament defeating Mickelson and Keegan Bradley with a birdie-3 on the second playoff hole No. 10.) The event is held in Pacific Palisades at the lush Riviera Country Club, recognized as one of the best courses on the PGA TOUR. The annual site of the Northern Trust Open, designed by George C Thomas and opened in 1927, is part of the rich history of the fundraising event which began in 1926 when Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce put up a $10,000 purse for the first LA Open – the richest prize in professional golf. You can attend the exciting event which believe it or not, is fantastic even if you don’t know much about golf. Tickets start at $20 for practice rounds and go all the way to $275 for the full weekend Clubhouse Pass. Lots of volunteer opportunities are also available. northerntrustopen.com