The Year in Review - Part Two – Golf Architecture

The Old Course 17th hole - courtesy of Golf Digest

The Olympic Course should have been the biggest story, but it’s not, the changes to the Old Course have brought on a far greater reaction.

 

Biggest Story – Old Course Renovations

Statement issued by Peter Dawson

“We have considered the challenge presented to the world’s top golfers by each of The Open Championship venues and carried out a programme of improvements over the last ten years. While some holes have been lengthened on the Old Course in recent years it has otherwise remained largely unaltered. The Championship Committee felt there was an opportunity to stiffen its defences in some places to ensure it remains as challenging as ever to the professionals. The proposals from Martin Hawtree should place more of a premium on accuracy and ball control while retaining the spirit and character of the Old Course.”

 

Some Assorted Reactions

“I don’t know if these changes are needed. What I do know is the reasons given for making them are unconvincing and not enough basis for tinkering with sacred ground.” – Brad Klein

“I'm always wistful -- and occasionally angry -- when supposedly well-intended folks meddle with classic courses just to keep them "relevant" for Tour pros. However, in the case of the current row over the changes at the Old Course, I'm siding with Jack and Tiger. Mustache on the Mona Lisa? More like meh.” - Joe Passov

“Golf’s shrine has been desecrated in an act of staggering arrogance by those meant to care for it.” - John Huggins

“That's why I find the protest pointless. Without change, golf architects wouldn't have any reason to be in business.”  - Ron Whitten

“I think that the default position should be that such an international treasure should be guarded, and that there should be a high burden of proof that changes need to be made, before they can be made.” – Tom Doak

Peter Dawson - courtesy European Tour

 

Dawson’s Reaction to the Reaction

“There’s a huge amount of comment out there on social media,” Dawson said. “Most of it is ill-informed and we need some balance and perspective. I know there are lots of people who think the Old Course has never been touched, should never be touched, that it’s a shrine,” Dawson said. “The history of that is simply not factual.”

I agree with what he says about “the facts” and changes, but he’s missing the point, we just don’t agree with the reasons for the work.

 

The Architecture Societies … talk and do nothing

“While I may not personally like what some architects choose to do with historical courses, I had never seen a proposal so egregious that I thought we as an organization needed to take a stand. Until now. The latest proposal for renovations to the Old Course in my opinion crosses that line.” – Ian Andrew in letter to ASGCA

The three societies initially talked about condemning the work, then they talked about issuing a joint statement, then they did essentially nothing. Second thoughts and second opinions lead to silence, which in my mind is as good as endorsing the work. I watched the email play out and knew they were retreating fast from their initial comments.

 

Gil Hanse at the Press Conference for The Olympic Decision - courtesy Golfweek

The Olympic Course Commission – Hanse Golf Design

“The Rio 2016 committee said Hanse Golf Design was the candidate that most aptly met the selection criteria issued by organizers, proposing a strong legacy component that included a golf academy to help the sport's development in Brazil.

“Hanse Golf Course Design tackled the challenge of designing a course for use by both elite and amateur athletes, one of the main legacy objectives. It addressed the environmental sustainability directives for the games and efficiently conformed to the building restrictions on the land."

The decision was a shock, not because Gil wasn’t worthy, because he was the best choice, but because they didn’t pick one of the celebrity designers vying for the commission. I had assumed Jack would win from the outset.

This leads us to the quote of the year issued after the awarding.

 

Olympic Course Related Quote of the Year - Robert Trent Jones Jr.

"Like any sportsman who gets to compete at the Olympic level, it was clearly worth the effort. My feelings are mixed between the personal disappointments of not being selected but also happiness that a true golf architect was selected.” –RTJ Jr.

Architect of the Year - Gil Hanse

This was sort of given once “The Decision” was made, but when you also throw in rave reviews for the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, the incredible renovation of Los Angeles Country Club and being hired by The Donald to renovate the Blue Course at Doral. Gil has clearly moved to the forefront of golf course architecture.

… Luke Donald’s thoughts aside.

 

Twitter on Golf Architecture  

I’m not into the cat fights on the LPGA, the PGA Tour player’s tasteless comments about Obama or Luke Donald’s stupid remark about Gil, so instead here were the two tweets that I liked the most about golf architecture. 

"It's a fantastic golf course, just a real advertisement for, you know, how a golf course doesn't need length to be tricky and tough." - Graham McDowell on Kingston Heath

“Kingston Heath is totally awesome. Someone please tell modern day architects we don't need 8000 yard tracks they're not enjoyable.” - Ian Poulter

Trump courtesy of TheNews.com

Most Biased Architecture Review – The Great Toupee

“The greatest golf course anywhere in the world."

The Donald after completing just the first nine holes on Trump Links in Aberdeen with George O'Grady CEO European Tour and Sandy Jones CEO of the UK PGA.

 

Course of the Year – Cabot Links

Many of the game’s top writers have ventured out to play Trump Links and have concurred that it’s indeed a very good course set over a spectacular site. But they have also cautioned that the design many not be playable in any significant wind and a few have even suggest its unplayable period.

The other end of the spectrum is Cabot Links. The course is fun, quirky and definitely playable even in significant wind. Some have suggested it’s in the Top 100 in the World while others think it’s just a nose below the elite. No matter which your opinion, it’s the first must play built in Canada since Stanley Thompson finished Highlands Links.

Cabot Links - courtesy of the Toronto Sun

Best Golf Course Review - Tom Dunne

“I have this analogy in mind: In music, you sometimes hear of a great violinist who's technically accomplished, but perhaps his performance doesn't measure up to another whose playing is flawed but passionate. Is there a term for this? I'm stumbling toward this idea, because I feel like Cabot hit all the right notes, but it didn't quite move me.”

It caught the uncertainty that some, including myself, have felt in seeing the course, largely because the pre-hype had put it squarely inside the Top 100 in World. Tom doesn’t argue its quality. What he does question is the very high praise it has received.

Courses to Come

Next year brings the two courses of Streamsong built out of an old mining site with mammoth dunes and lumpy land. The early reviews are great and the accompanying images certainly catch your interest. It will also bring the opening of Laval-sur-le-lac’s Blue Course.

But these pale in comparison to the potential of Cabot Cliffs being designed by Coore and Crenshaw or the intrigue of what the Olympic Course by Gil Hanse will look like. I have made tentative arrangements to work for a week (or more) on the Olympic Course this winter. The site is average but the project is one for the ages.

Streamsong Courtesy of AerialAmerica.com

Rest in Peace

The golf design world lost many this year including John Harbottle, Robin Nelson and Geoff Cornish.