Shoreacres Tour by Jon Cavalier

SHOREACRES – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION Lake Bluff, IL – Seth Raynor, 1916 If you’ve read my previous tours or follow me on Twitter or Instagram (shameless plug: @linksgems), you know that I am a fan of the designs of Charles Blair Macdonald and his protégé, Seth Raynor.  I’ve played several dozen “MacRaynor” designs,Continue reading “Shoreacres Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Community Links Champion – An Interview with Architect Andy Staples

Hobbs, NM is on my bucket list for golf adventure.  I’ll explain.  That is where Andy Staples created a source of inspiration for anyone associated with the Community Golf Revival in America at a course called Rockwind Community Links.  I became aware of Andy’s work while doing research for Canal Shores.  On a brief phoneContinue reading “Community Links Champion – An Interview with Architect Andy Staples”

Geek’s Guide to Golf Course Research

“How did you find out about that course?” That is a question that I commonly get from golf buddies who haven’t gone quite as far down the rabbit hole as I have.  The short answer is, “I poked around and came across it.” The long answer is that I would rather spend my time researchingContinue reading “Geek’s Guide to Golf Course Research”

National Golf Links of America Tour by Jon Cavalier

NATIONAL GOLF LINKS OF AMERICA – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION Southampton, NY – Charles Blair Macdonald “There are no more beautiful golfing vistas in all the world than those from the National Golf Club . . .” – C.B. Macdonald For me, this is sacred ground. As a devout member of the church ofContinue reading “National Golf Links of America Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Desert Days – Sand Hollow, Paiute Wolf & Wolf Creek

Las Vegas is a regular destination for me.  My work has taken me there at least fifteen times.  With the exception of one trip that I took to get a lesson from Butch Harmon, golf has not been a part of my Las Vegas experience.  That changed this week when I decided to see whatContinue reading “Desert Days – Sand Hollow, Paiute Wolf & Wolf Creek”

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”

Bandon Preserve Course Tour by Jon Cavalier

BANDON PRESERVE – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION Bandon Dunes Resort, Bandon, OR – Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw Bandon Preserve sits on a nook of cliffside dunes between Bandon Trails to the East and Bandon Dunes to the north.  The setting for this little gem is spectacular — every hole has views of theContinue reading “Bandon Preserve Course Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Journey Along the Shores – Part 13 (4 Course Concept Revisited)

Our Lead Architect David Zinkand has completed his Preliminary Design of the new Canal Shores (below), bringing to life the 4 Course Concept that we have been discussing.  It has certainly come a long way since the idea’s inception. This design is considered preliminary, rather than final, for several reasons: We are committed to continuingContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 13 (4 Course Concept Revisited)”

Jon Cavalier’s Top 10 New Courses in 2015

The end of the year is a time for reflection on days past, anticipation of days to come, and most of all, a time for … LISTS!  Top 10 lists seem to be everywhere this week, and far be it for me to resist this trend. So, in that vein, here are the Top 10Continue reading “Jon Cavalier’s Top 10 New Courses in 2015”

2015 Geeked on Golf Tour

What a year. I took the madness to another level this year, playing 49 different golf courses in 11 different states.  34 of those golf courses were first time plays.  As an indication of the quality of the 2015 golf adventure, I would make a point and an effort to go back to 33 ofContinue reading “2015 Geeked on Golf Tour”