RESPECT FOR PAST MASTERS AT SKOKIE

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”

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”

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”

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 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”

EMBRACING MACDONALD’S LEGACY AT SLEEPY HOLLOW

An in-depth look at the evolution of the C.B. Macdonald-designed and Gil Hanse retrovated Sleepy Hollow Country Club “From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of Sleepy Hollow…A drowsy, dreamyContinue reading “EMBRACING MACDONALD’S LEGACY AT SLEEPY HOLLOW”

OPENING BANKS

Part 28 of the Journey Along the Shores series takes a look at our work to stabilize the canal banks and create vistas throughout the course “What are you doing down there?” That is a frequently asked question that floats down from the ridges and bridges as we undertake work on the canal banks. TheContinue reading “OPENING BANKS”

COASTAL BIASES – ST. LOUIS C.C.

A look at how C.B. Macdonald unleashed his creativity across the rolling hills of St. Louis Country Club Charles Blair Macdonald was not lacking in self-assurance. He expressed his supreme confidence through action and proclamation. The action was to create a portfolio of golf courses, topped by National Golf Links of America, that would revolutionizeContinue reading “COASTAL BIASES – ST. LOUIS C.C.”