A September to Remember – Oakmont, Ballyneal & Sand Hills

2016 has been yet another wonderful year of golf adventures.  The season culminated in late September with a stretch of dreams come true in this golf geek’s life with visits to Oakmont Country Club, Ballyneal Golf Club and Sand Hills Golf Club. In a word, Oakmont is mystique.  From the turn into the parking lot,Continue reading “A September to Remember – Oakmont, Ballyneal & Sand Hills”

Awakening to Alison – Milwaukee CC & Orchard Lake CC

My golf adventures here in the midwest have recently exposed me to the work of another Golden Age architect – C.H. Alison.  Prior to the past month, I had only played one other course credited to the design partnership of Colt & Alison, and that course had been meaningfully altered.  In playing Milwaukee Country ClubContinue reading “Awakening to Alison – Milwaukee CC & Orchard Lake CC”

ONE FOR THE AGES – PRAIRIE DUNES

A weekend recap and photo tour from one of America’s greatest courses, Prairie Dunes Country Club   Gunch: The epitome of everything dirty and nasty. Gunch is the word that the staff and members use for the native areas that line the holes at Prairie Dunes.  The definition above is fitting.  The gunch is theContinue reading “ONE FOR THE AGES – PRAIRIE DUNES”

Buddies Back in Boston – Annual Trip Recap

Last year’s eastern buddies trip was such a winner that we decided to return to Boston again this year to play Myopia Hunt Club, Essex County Club, Whitinsville, Kittansett Club and Wannamoisett.  The trip had a wonderful little wrinkle as we were hosted on our first day by a group of members from Myopia and EssexContinue reading “Buddies Back in Boston – Annual Trip Recap”

Myopia Hunt Club Tour by Jon Cavalier

MYOPIA HUNT CLUB – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION South Hamilton, MA – Herbert Leeds I had the pleasure of playing an early morning round at the one-of-a-kind Myopia Hunt Club outside Boston.  To put it mildly, it was well worth the drive up from Philly (smooth sailing when you leave at 1am). Suffice itContinue reading “Myopia Hunt Club Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Journey Along the Shores – Part 14a (The Power of Volunteers)

The contributions that our volunteers make to Canal Shores continues to warm my heart and blow my mind. In the fall of last year, among various off-season projects, we decided to rework bunkers and clean up around our 12th green.  That little project has become something much cooler, and it is all because of ourContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 14a (The Power of Volunteers)”

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”