The story of the retrovation of Skokie Country Club, and the father of golf course restoration As the old saying goes, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. Typically, in design, the committee approach confirms the truth therein, with results that are watered down or lacking in continuity. As courses have evolved overContinue reading “RESPECT FOR PAST MASTERS AT SKOKIE”
Category Archives: Golf Courses
A WALK IN A PARK AT MAIDSTONE
A in-depth look at the Coore & Crenshaw retrovation of the Willie Park Jr designed Maidstone Club Hindsight in the retrovation era is making clear how delicate a proposition it is for an architect to attempt to blend a course restoration with the appropriate updates to ensure a high level of quality and sustainability byContinue reading “A WALK IN A PARK AT MAIDSTONE”
LIVES IN BALANCE
Three men’s connection to the Onwentsia Club, and their shared path to excellence in golf and life Deep in the hearts of many men and women is the desire to do great things, and perhaps even leave a legacy. The obvious path to achievement is characterized by singleness of purpose and the willingness to trudgeContinue reading “LIVES IN BALANCE”
CONTINUOUS CHANGE AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL
A Then & Now photo tour of the always exciting and ever-changing Augusta National Golf Club Bobby Jones set out, with his beloved Old Course as inspiration, to create the ideal golf course at Augusta. His collaborative partnership included Dr. Alister MacKenzie, Clifford Roberts, Marion Hollins and others—a meeting of the minds with a singularContinue reading “CONTINUOUS CHANGE AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL”
NO ONE HIT WONDER – SWEETENS COVE
Revisiting the Sweetens Cove story and a 2016 conversation with architect Rob Collins of King-Collins Golf Course Design Election Day in 2016 now seems like a lifetime ago. After watching election returns that night from an Atlanta hotel, I hit the road early the next morning to make a much anticipated jaunt to Sweetens Cove.Continue reading “NO ONE HIT WONDER – SWEETENS COVE”
ENDURING DESIGN AT PINE VALLEY
A then and now look at Pine Valley and what has made its greatness endure for a century The early days of golf in America were imbued with enthusiasm. The quirky little stick and ball game that had migrated across the Atlantic from the British Isles captured hearts and minds with its blend of outdoorContinue reading “ENDURING DESIGN AT PINE VALLEY”
LINKSGEMS AUSSIE ADVENTURE
A photo recap of Jon Cavalier’s 2020 trip down under Jon Cavalier kicked off his 2020 golf adventures in style by taking a trip that will likely remain a dream for even the most ardent American golf traveler—Australia. The word epic is overused, but a quick look at the stats indicates that it applies toContinue reading “LINKSGEMS AUSSIE ADVENTURE”
BLUE’S GREENS
A look at the heart of Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, the tremendous set of Seth Raynor designed greens For a golf course to be great, its different components—land, routing, strategy, hazards, greens—should ideally work together, and have independent strength of their own. Ask a large enough group of golf geeks which of theseContinue reading “BLUE’S GREENS”
A NEW STANDARD FOR GREATNESS
Musings on the power of kinship, on and off the course The subject of greatness is one that I have spent years now exploring in my golf travels, conversations, debates and attendant musings. What makes a golf course great? What makes one greater than another? Is it even possible to objectively evaluate a course, orContinue reading “A NEW STANDARD FOR GREATNESS”
A WIN-WIN-WIN SOLUTION AT SAN GERONIMO
This installment of the GeekedOnGolf Community Golf series looks at the fight to save and reinvent San Geronimo Golf Course in Marin County, CA For centuries, a story has been unfolding in the San Geronimo Valley, highlighting the relationships between people and the land, and each other. Important questions about stewardship, land use, ecology andContinue reading “A WIN-WIN-WIN SOLUTION AT SAN GERONIMO”