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”
Tag Archives: donald ross
THE WELCOME MAT IS OUT AT AIKEN
A look at what makes the McNair family’s Aiken Golf Club a place that any geek would love to call home A knock against golf in America is that it is unwelcoming. The game itself is intimidating for beginners. Just getting the ball airborne and ultimately into the hole is hard enough, but there areContinue reading “THE WELCOME MAT IS OUT AT AIKEN”
A Modern Throwback – Andy Staples at Meadowbrook
The past decade has seen a number of wonderful renovations of classic golf courses – Philadelphia Cricket Club, Moraine CC, Cal Club, Orchard Lake CC and others are exciting for golf geeks at several levels. One in particular has risen to the top of my radar as I have watched it unfold from a distance.Continue reading “A Modern Throwback – Andy Staples at Meadowbrook”
Right on the Sweet Spot – Architecture Week III
This time around it was different. They changed the name, and they changed their game. The third installment of Architecture Week on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive took a different approach, and for me, it hit the sweet spot. This time around was different for me as well. For the previous two AWs, I was ableContinue reading “Right on the Sweet Spot – Architecture Week III”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 9 (Inspiration for the New Canal Shores)
In recent Journey Along the Shores posts, I have been focused on what we are doing to improve the course now. With Autumn quickly approaching, stay tuned for news on the next batch of improvement projects. Let’s take a break from the present, and revisit the subject of the future of Canal Shores. There areContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 9 (Inspiration for the New Canal Shores)”
A 1,537 Mile Drive – The Fort, Hyde Park, Camargo, French Lick, Harrison Hills
My schedule worked out such that I had a few days to hit the open road for golf adventure. With much appreciated help from Tim Liddy and Jason Thurman, a tour through Indiana and Ohio came together which allowed me to add to my experience of Ross, Raynor, Dye, and Langford (with a healthy doseContinue reading “A 1,537 Mile Drive – The Fort, Hyde Park, Camargo, French Lick, Harrison Hills”
Upholding Golf’s Ideals – An Interview with Architect Jeff Mingay
“Difficult golf courses are simple to make. Narrow fairways bordered by rough, and corridors of play constricted by trees is all it takes. The problem is such courses inevitably become a chore to play. Sheer difficulty is not the measure of quality golf course design. In fact, as golf course architects, we’re not trying toContinue reading “Upholding Golf’s Ideals – An Interview with Architect Jeff Mingay”
Soul Man – An Interview with Architect Drew Rogers
The call was supposed to just be a quick “hello” and “thank you” for some photos. An hour later, I realized that I had found a kindred spirit in realm of golf geekdom. Beyond sharing similar perspectives on the game, Drew and I are also fortunate to have spent significant time at the Old ElmContinue reading “Soul Man – An Interview with Architect Drew Rogers”
THE SWEET SOUND OF CHAINSAWS
“As beautiful as trees are, and as fond as you and I are of them, we still must not lose sight of the fact that there is a limited place for them in golf. We must not allow our sentiments to crowd out the real intent of a golf course, that of providing fair playingContinue reading “THE SWEET SOUND OF CHAINSAWS”
Happy Birthday Donald Ross – Tribute to a Life Fully Lived
Today is the birthday of my favorite golf course architect – Donald Ross. Having grown up caddying and playing on a Ross course, I admit to my bias. Ross was a creative genius, and is arguably the most prolific architect in history with involvement in 400+ courses across the U.S. (not to mention that heContinue reading “Happy Birthday Donald Ross – Tribute to a Life Fully Lived”