As Good As It Gets – Lost Dunes & The Dunes Club

Last season, I screwed up royally.  I have access to Lost Dunes, the Tom Doak gem in SW Michigan, and I did not go.  Pathetic, I know. Determined not to make the same mistake twice, I wrangled two Superintendent homies, Scott Vincent (Onwentsia) and Brian Palmer (Shoreacres) for a spring outing.  And since we wereContinue reading “As Good As It Gets – Lost Dunes & The Dunes Club”

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”

The Revival – Community Golf in America

There is a movement afoot.  Across the country, from Goat Hill to the Schoolhouse Nine, from Sharp Park to Winter Park, there are a growing number of community golf projects getting attention and serious support. I have experienced the vibe of this movement first-hand as I work with folks from the game and my fellowContinue reading “The Revival – Community Golf in America”

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)”