CREATIVITY WITHIN CONSTRAINTS AT LOST DUNES

A look at the relationship between design constraints and creativity at the Tom Doak designed Lost Dunes Golf Club Spend any time on GolfClubAtlas or Twitter, and it becomes apparent that many armchair architects live in their own world. It’s a place without limits, where any tree can be cut, budgets are infinite, interpersonal politicsContinue reading “CREATIVITY WITHIN CONSTRAINTS AT LOST DUNES”

LIGHT BULB MOMENTS AT THE LOOP

A look at Tom Doak’s brilliant reversible design, The Loop at Forest Dunes Golf Club “Golf is a science, the study of a lifetime, in which you can exhaust yourself but never your subject.” – David Forgan A golf course that can be readily grasped after a single round is not likely to ever beContinue reading “LIGHT BULB MOMENTS AT THE LOOP”

Old Macdonald Course Tour by Jon Cavalier

OLD MACDONALD – A COURSE TOUR & APPRECIATION Bandon Dunes Resort, Bandon, OR – Tom Doak & Jim Urbina Old Macdonald is the most recently opened course at Bandon Dunes, but it is already considered by many to be the best.  The course is intended as an homage to the architectural principles of Charles BlairContinue reading “Old Macdonald Course Tour by Jon Cavalier”

Journey Along the Shores – Part 15b (Metra Corner Update)

After all of the improvements that we have made to the 15th hole, it is really shining right now.  I took a quick walk this morning to grab final photos of the bunkers in the bright summer sunshine to complete this update on our work on #15. The larger Metra Corner Makeover project (as outlinedContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 15b (Metra Corner Update)”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Multimedia, Multitalented – An Interview with Architect Brett Hochstein

Pasatiempo.  It doesn’t get much better than a trip around Dr. Mac’s home course.   That is, unless you receive an invite to visit another course later that same day where talented architects, shapers and supers are working their magic.  A golf geek’s dream day come true. I was fortunate enough to have just such aContinue reading “Multimedia, Multitalented – An Interview with Architect Brett Hochstein”