Ian Andrew's Golf Design Blog

Chris Tritabaugh's Great Blog

2012-02-27T22:37:00.002-05:00

Lots of little details to consider!

Want to learn a lot about turf, well here's your chance.

I really enjoyed the Atlantic Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference last week. One of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was a couple of excellent presentations by Chris Tritabaugh. Chris is the golf superintendent of Northlands Country Club near Deluth, Minnesota. Chris's initial talk was on the promotion of bentgrass and featured some very interesting ideas when you consider the long term possibility of clubs having to reduce water useage, lower fertility programs and minimize the use of pesticides. Chris is running a maintenance approach worth paying close attention to if you really believe this is where we are headed.

Chris has one of the more intresting blogs in golf and can be followed here:

http://northlandgrounds.blogspot.com/

My Conundrom with Pete

2012-02-25T16:23:00.003-05:00

courtesy of Paiute Golf Resort

Pete Dye represents one of the great conundrums for me as anarchitect.

I consider Pete Dye one of the most important architects inhistory. I happen to think that Pete’s earliest work prior to the TPC was quiteclever. I was particularly impressed with my visit to The Golf Club in NewAlbany where some of his trademark ideas like timber work was a brilliant punctuationto what is largely a subtle and clever piece of architecture. I think his early work is one of the key influenceson the origins of the minimalist movement. In fact I many ways he is the fatherof the minimalist movement. The fact that he trained many of the key players inthis movement also adds to his importance.

Every architect (me included) respects Mr. Dye for his knowledge,skill and audacity. He singlehandedly changed architecture on more than oneoccasion and is a largely the leading influence of the last thirty years. Becauseof this most architects hold Pete Dye up as a major influence on their design ideas.

I don’t.

In fact I can honestly say that as much as I respect the manand his abilities (and in the past have studied many of his most significantcourses) I have very little interest in seeing his work. I do like a fewof the early designs, but once he began to aggressively manipulate his sites helost me. I also found that once he gotinvolved with the PGA Tour he became length obsessed and relied very heavily onthe intimidation of ponds hard up against fairways and greens. I respect thestrategies because there always well thought through, but I can’t appreciatethe style for its level of difficulty.

And yet here I am reading “Bury Me in Pot Bunker” for thesecond time. I’m also off to the Honours Course in Tennessee to see one of his best designs (that I haven't seen). I know he’s reallytalented, so it must just be me. I keep coming back to the question what is it I just don't get?

Growing the Game Q&A

2012-02-15T12:04:00.002-05:00

I received a series of questions from a thesis student at Penn. U. I thought I would share my answers since many of the questions are good ones.

1.) Do you think that golf has the potential to grow in emerging countries beyond being a sport just for the wealthy?

I’m not as optimistic as some.

To grow the game you need a pyramid where the bottom represents the lowest cost facilities that play the role of bring “the people” to the game. The upper end represents the elite facilities that players aspire to belong to if they have the interest and the money to afford them. In between are better facilities but priced at more affordable price points for players. That is the model that generates growth.

In almost all instances people are trying to build the elite facilities into emerging countries first. What we are seeing is an “inversed” pyramid where there is no access at a price point that will bring the masses to the game. Since there is no culture in place to support the game the elite facilities are largely unused unless someone has had exposure to the game outside the country.

a. If so, what changes would need to occur in order to include more participation?

Building a facility does not grow the game, access to a facility you can afford grows the game.

2.) How will golf’s re-inclusion in the Olympic Games impact the emphasis and investment placed on the sport in developing countries?

I actually don’t think it will make any difference. I think people have assumed that national golf programs will be developed to create Olympic athletes. They may fund a system to develop players, but they will not build golf courses to bring masses to the game.

3.) Do you think that successful golf development could be a strategic tactic to increase international appeal and credibility, for countries aspiring to enhance their global prominence?

I think that if the Olympic Course demonstrates a sustainable environmental model built for a reasonable price with an excellent return on investment, communities and developers would immediately become more interested in lost sites near large cities. This could become a catalyst for new golf. I see reclamation projects becoming the fuel of golf. Cheap or even free land, low construction costs, reduced maintenance, a requirement for public play at a reasonable cost and a good solid business model will begin to grow the game. There are enough great sites in need of reclamation close to large cities to fuel new growth.

But I expect the Olympic Course will come in well over budget and remove any hope I had of that providing a catalyst.

4.) In your opinion, does expanding the growth of golf in emerging countries (experiencing rapidly growing middle classes) offer attractive economic benefits and social value characteristics (for youths and adults)?

I’m not sure how to answer your question.

5.) What factors could serve as potential stumbling blocks for the sport’s growth in emerging countries?

The costs associated with playing, the costs to build a facility, the time to play, the limited availability of land in most areas, the lack of players to support the new facilities, the inability to borrow to finance these projects, etc. The list is long.

6.) Factors both inherent to the game and to the current situations in emerging countries.

Politics in certain markets, environmental issues in others, but WATER is the single largest issue in the game. In a recent article a political writer explained that water is the “new oil” where countries will eventually go to war to secure a source of water.

Water is the one factor that has the ability to challenge the future growth of the game.

7.) Do you have any key policy recommendations for national governments and golf federations around the world looking to increase participation and accessibility to the sport?

Use golf to reclaim the lost sites around cities. “Give” the land to golf developers with conditions attached where they are required to rehabilitate them and offer golf at a reasonable price to all levels of society. Remove the red tape and concentrate on the requirements for an effective rehabilitation program so they don’t tie their money up for long periods of time trying to obtain approvals.

Take a big picture approach where the rehabilitation and recreational opportunity is the win and allow the developer a modest return for life. Don’t collect taxes and don’t ask for a piece of the pie, instead look at these process as a way to repair damaged landscapes and turning them back into model ecosystems. Look at taking the largest negative in the community and turning it into one of the attributes.

Think big picture!

Do Bunkers Represent the Same Strategic Value They Once Did?

2012-02-12T19:32:00.002-05:00

Firestone

I watched apresentation on bunker maintenance this week. In the presentation the speakertalked about the cost of maintaining “tournament” quality bunkers for every dayplay. His talk covered sand selection, bunker preparation and included the useof custom tools and techniques designed to get the ball away from the faces ofthe bunkers. He shared with us that 25% of the club’s maintenance budget isbeing used on maintaining the bunkers.

In hispresentation he touched on two key points and both got me thinking about howmuch bunker maintenance is undermining strategy.

Whiletalking about the techniques they use he said “the player expects the ball roll down the faces of the bunker and endup in the middle.”

Being inthis position provides a player with a flat lie with enough room to comfortablyget over almost any face even in fairway bunkers. If the ball has rolled tothis position the ball will sit almost completely on top of the sand and allowfor a cleaner contact than the rough. In fact in many instances this lie willallow the player to control the shot through the additional spin they can placeon the ball.

Throw in theimprovements in the ball and the use of patterning on the face designed to addspin and the players are in a much better position to score from the bunkersthan in the past.

The bunker (intheory) is supposed to be a lost stroke unless an exceptional shot is played tosave that stroke. I’m not sure if that is the case anymore. Apparently theaverage tour player is just shy of 50% around greens for sand saves and thebest professionals are close to 60%. That’s not much of hazard when you comparethat to rough and even some short grass situations.

The speakercontinued with “The players expect everybunker shot to be played from consistent conditions.”

What hemight as well of said is the player expects the ball to sit up in a perfect lieevery time. We spend an enormous amount of money in construction techniques, inmaintenance and on “creating” specialized sand designed to provide the perfect combinationof firmness and moisture content. Essentially a lie in a hazard is beingdesigned to be perfect every time.

A bunker issupposed to provide a consequence for making either a poor decision or failingto execute a shot. Strategy is created through the balance of risk andopportunity and the decisions that come with assessing what lies between youand the hole. If there is no consequence there is no risk and therefore the strategiesare weakened by this fact. A perfect lie in the bunker every time removes alarge portion of the risk.

I think weare maintaining bunkers to the point of reducing their strategic value.

My Life with Anxiety

2012-02-08T14:58:00.002-05:00

In wrote this piece in support of the Let's Talk Campaign, which I consider a really important initiative. The stigma may be the greatest battle in people not being able to seek help.

One of the most surprising things about talking openly about mental health issues is you quickly find out it’s far more common than you think. I was having a beer with a group of guys from my hockey team where someone offered up a compliment on how well I deal with all the complexities or running a business and the travel it entails. I laughed and said that I can’t be that good because I have anxiety. The group was surprised. The group was far more surprised when two of the others talked about having similar issues which both had medicated for it at some point in their life. What fascinated me most afterwards was we would have likely been seen as the least likely among the group.

Actually, just for clarity what I have is called Panic Disorder, a fancy title that means I can be prone to panic attacks. Now my panic attacks don’t occur completely randomly, although it seemed like it initially, I discovered over time that they need a series of important triggers put in place the likelihood of having one. In my case almost all are linked to driving. I can either get anxiety worrying about an upcoming drive or a full on panic attack during the drive.

What is a panic attack for me?

My panic attacks follow the same pattern: tightness in my chest, pain in my shoulders and arms, followed by light dizziness and occasional getting strong enough to cause a shortness of breath. I’m not incapacitated, but making it go away does become the focus. Most of the time I can “talk myself down” during lesser attacks, but in rare instances I need to pull over and get out of the car till I regain some sense of control (10-15 minutes at the most). It doesn’t mean I get in the car feeling great, and they do occasionally come right back, but most of the time that is enough to break the loop.

The toughest part of dealing with all of this was the beginning. The very first one came as a teenager when I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. I had a second one and went to see my doctor. He told me that I had some form of anxiety and that I should see somebody – the catch phrase when you don’t want to say psychiatrist. I spent about five sessions with the psychiatrist and while we never identified the issue that brought this one (at least that’s how I remember it so I could be wrong in this case), he certainly helped me find a great series of coping tools that worked for a half dozen years.

The attacks were initially rare and random enough that for a while I even thought I had a food allergy which has since been the source of laughter for our friends for years now since they cooked around it for a decade.

But eventually in my late 20’s I found that my attacks were becoming a lot more regular. But what was new was the impact it was having on my sleeping. I’ve never ever been a great sleeper even a s a child, but now I was often up all night worrying about the upcoming trip I was about to make.

I was also getting frustrated (not depressed and I avoided that word on purpose since anxiety and depression can often be related) because I couldn’t seem to solve the issue. I’m strong willed and take on problems head on rather than trying to avoid them. So not being able to “solve” this was a source of consternation for me.

I went to see my doctor (different one - just as good) explaining that my quality of life had become awful. We tried medicating, but after a single day with “no feelings” I had made the decision that I’d rather struggle with anxiety than numb things down. I understand the role of anti-depressants but that wasn’t for me.

I called her up and went back in and she recommended a book called Mind Ever Mood. She said that it was based upon using logic to overcome anxiety and depression. I could not possibly do this book justice by trying to explain these ideas. Instead I’ll explain how it worked for me.

Early on it states (again from what I remember since I did eventually pass the book along to someone else) that to beat your anxiety you have to face it head on each time. It was important in my case to never turn down a booking or trip just to avoid a drive.

I read the book the first night and slowly began to unlock the basics. The trigger was two car accidents I had in my late teens. I had a nasty accident (purely my fault) on a side road where I demolished a car and was told by the officer that I was lucky to survive. His words have never left me. Then six months later I was hit from the side by a gentleman who turned to deal with a crying child and ran right through a red light.

I was mortal and I knew it. I now had a not so healthy fear of dying.

When the cycle got worse in my late 20’s I was very worried about my father’s health (we’re very close) and I was struggling with my fear of losing him. Secondary triggers are common and the workbooks seemed to point me to this fact. I don’t know whether this comes back to my own mortality or fear of death, but all of it seemed to swirl together during that period.

For some background from my late twenties through till my late 30’s I worked as a golf architect for a busy company. I spent an enormous amount of time on the road going to see clients and give presentations. Often the hours were long with early morning flights out and long drives out to remote courses. While I enjoyed the work, the travel had a major impact on my health. I spent many of the nights (particularly before long drives) anxious about the next day.

The one thing I never did is avoid driving. As I mentioned in the past I’m stubborn and felt that I had to face the fears and anxiety head every time to slowly solve this. Actually stubborn and naïve …

What I did learn from the book was to do is start writing about it and talking to my wife more. I used to carry the worksheets with me and begin to fill them out during anxious periods, attacks or occasionally at night before bed. By addressing the issues and identifying what was going on I was facing the fears and reducing the severity of the attack. Eventually I made notes in my workbook in the margins. I still have those books and read a passage recently looking for another piece of information on a course. Eventually I went through the process in my head and got to a point where only a few ever made it to a full attack. Even if they did I could dramatically shorten the span by going through the exercises from the book.

We had a few breakthroughs by following the patterns. My wife identified that the worst period always corresponded to the fall when I was most tired and most overscheduled. Throw in long drives on back to back days and it was almost predicable in the end. It took my wife a few years to pull it all together but she was keeping notes. She also found the link between exhaustion, anxiety and interrupted sleeping patterns.

I left my former employee for a lot of reasons, but quietly anxiety played a minor role too. I needed to be able to manage my own schedule and make my own appointments so I could have some influence on this. And that really helped. But an even bigger that was causing me regular anxiety was my inability to control my future. I was not confident about the direction and future of the company I was working for. Therefore not having any influence was a problem for me. Taking change of my own life and working for myself did not add additional stress, in fact it dramatically removed a major source of anxiety that I had not identified.

I was better, but not done trying to improve things. My wife and doctor (latest one also great) suggested we keep searching. We tried altering my eating habits and I even gave up coffee entirely looking to remove the single most common trigger (caffeine). There was no magic bullet, but I did continue to go to good restaurants for dinner while on the road because I noticed a regular diet of fish and vegetables improved my energy levels for work.

The real breakthrough for me was during the fall a few years back. My wife and I had decided that in our late forties that we needed to be healthier if we wanted to keep enjoying life into old age. It was harder to hold the weight in check, but I wanted to stay just as active as before if not more. I wanted to play hockey against the twenty years olds again one last time to see if I still had it. So we got in shape by walking for at least an hour every day. And I returned to open hockey.

About six months into this I realized I wasn’t feeling an anxiety any more. It was a revelation because I was also sleeping much better than I ever have. The two are obviously closely related. I’ve continued to walk (and eat better) for the last couple of years now and I can honestly say this has made a massive impact.

Last year I drove 26,000 km for work alone. I travelled extensively, in the fall worked very long hours. It was the perfect storm for anxiety to return, but it didn’t. I got tired at times, but not anxious.

But I’m not done looking for other ways to keep things going. The biggest recent change is to fly out the day before because the mornings are becoming tough and I’m so spent at the end of those days. It helps me be effective while on site and the extra cost is worth feeling good. Just like eating better takes more money, but the impact of that was worth it too.

For me it turned out I had found a way to cope. The keys were getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep and having control over the things I could control. That may not be your magic formula but perhaps you can find something that helps you out too.

I’m not suggesting any particular idea that I discussed, I’m hoping that you get from this the idea to be proactive about your problems including sharing them with others for support. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re not alone and others are more than willing to help you out including doctors who take the time to help you find the answer that’s best for you.

Is Technology Progress?

2012-02-01T16:38:00.002-05:00

Add caption

It was nice to see Golf Architecture publish another one of my opinion pieces. I've really enjoyed trying to understand everything from golf design to running a design business through"other"acticles and books. I'm enjoying the additional prespective and broader picture it's been offering me.

Sometimes it's Better to Part Ways

2012-01-28T14:27:00.001-05:00

New Fazio fairway bunker at Country Club of Scranton

Yesterday, I found myself looking at images of the bunker renovationof the Country Club of Scranton. I worked for the Country Club of Scranton (Travis)for six or seven years helping them with a slow restoration of the golf course.In my tenure I returned the greens to their original size, added back in theshort grass areas on the perimeter of the greens, removed close to 6,000 treesto restore the views, restored the creek in the valley, returned the fairwaywidths and added every tee on the Master Plan.

The remaining work was bunkers and drainage. I spent anumber of years fighting for a restoration of the bunkers, but there was alwayssome resistance to the idea. We had good information and the course had greathistorical significance so I thought it was worth fighting for. Over the yearsthe committee changed to include more people who favoured modernization overrestoration.

The 1935 aerial of the course

I remember in a last ditch effort sending them up to seeOnondaga, which had just restored the bunkers to see what the work at Scrantoncould look like. I knew from theirreaction and a few comments from Onondaga’s greens committee that I wasfinished with CCS. They didn’t like what they saw and they didn’t want any partof a restoration.
So when I was asked to re-interview with the club I was finewith what they were really saying which was “we don’t agree with you and thinkwe should get someone else.” I declined to interview because I knew they neededa change. I did receive a wonderful supportive phone call from Renaissance Golfwonder why they would change when the work was really good in their opinion.

Travis's plan for Scranton

But CCS had the right to get what they wanted and theyneeded someone else who would deliver their vision. They interviewed twoarchitects that I thought would continue the historical work and Tom Fazio’soffice who I thought might as well. There is a connection on the board to Merion,so was their decision to hire Fazio’s firm was pretty logical in my mind.

Picture of the 10th green and fairway bunker

I set Tom up with all the historical images and plans and fullyco-operated in creating a very smooth transition. I was under the impression throughthis that there would be at least some historical nod to the work to be done. Iknew CCS was getting modern style bunkering, but I had hoped some of the Travisstyle would be found within, even as a subtext to the character. Theconstruction is well done and the new bunkers are better than what was therefrom the sixties. Some of the bunkers are quite interesting in their shapes andcomposition, but I looked at the images last night and honestly didn’t see anyconnection between the bunkers and the existing architecture of the course.

I have a friend who suggested that I should have done what they wanted to keep the work. I disagree, I think my reputation and integrity are far more valuable. I was not the person to deliver what they wanted. They are happy with the work that has been done and they were wise to make the change.

Don’t Write Off Golf so Quickly

2012-01-17T10:05:00.000-05:00

Tobiano - never made enough cash (courtesy Remax)

I wasreading a recent article about golf and real estate where the writer equatedthe carnage in the real estate to the decline in participation in golf. What? I’malways at a loss to read something like this when the decline in real estate issimply the oversupply of property coupled with the difficulty to finance.

While manygolf courses were developed as part of a real estate play, the development isstill a about selling units and not about golf. The golf course is there toattract buyers, mainly for the views from their lots, which allow the developerto charge a premium where they can increase their asking prices. When you look atthe fact that most golf course developments in places like British Columbiawere intended as second homes, it’s no surprise that each of these developmentsis either stalled, in bankruptcy or up for sale.

Golf is not relevantto the decline in these projects. What is relevant is each of these golfcourses was built as an unsustainable business model that assumed the golfdevelopment and future home owners would absorb the costs of upkeep (as ownersor regular customers). Well guess what, they are not. Now the developer is leftwith an awful business model that drains their cash during a period where theycan’t sell their properties and banks are calling their loans. The problem withthese courses is they were never designed to survive on their own. That’s not aproblem with golf, that’s a problem with the assumptions of the developer.

Ballantrae G&CC - a stand alone business (courtesy of fairways)

What I find fascinatingis now people are saying golf is essentially dead as a sport. Yes it declined15% in participation over the last five years, but rounds were down only 3%.Why is that? It’s mainly due to the fact that 90% of all golf is played on a publiclyaccessible facility. The inner city public courses are still jam packed and anylow cost facility has a solid tee sheet. The problems lie in the high endpublic facility catering to wealthy and business and the private club. Why arethese clubs struggling? Pure economics, the cost of the development must besupported by the green fees and in most cases the break even number creates agreen fee golfers are not willing to pay at this time. Once again the problem isthe business model.

There areenough really clever examples of great golf courses built for a reasonablebudget with modest clubhouses where the business model works because the greenfee is reasonable and the calculations never assumed a high green fee. Golf isnot broken. It just needs a better economic plan if it’s going to grow from thenext 20 years.

Renovation of the Year in 2012?

2012-01-14T13:57:00.002-05:00

The image from teh article

Links Magazine featured a recentarticle pointing out the top 5 golf course renovations of last year. Therenovation of the year was Pinehurst #2 by Coore and Crenshaw. This renovationchallenges the Augustafication of golf maintenance and offers a sustainableapproach for the future.

Click Here for article

The list was only five courses and none ofthe remainder captured the attention like Pinehurst this year or LA CountryClub the previous year. By the way, what can you possibly spend 50 million on?

Links then listed it’s next five notablerenovations coming in 2012 which began with Highlands Links in Nova Scotia.

Click Here for article

The work in progress

“This legendary Stanley Thompson design on Cape Breton Island,Nova Scotia sustained extensive flooding damage during a pair of storms in thewinter of 2010. Most of the repair work was handled last year, but Parks Canada(which owns the golf course) also seized the moment to restore the course underthe watch of Toronto-area architect Ian Andrew. Using vintage photography,Andrew's mission is to bring back Thompson's imaginative bunker shapes. He alsoplans to undo an unsightly cart path system left over from a '90s-erarenovation.”

I think this sort of press is essential topeople re-discovering Highlands Links. I’m glad that such a large publicationis paying attention to a Canadian public golf course, this drives home how veryvaluable this course is to Canadians. All on a shoestring budget.

The 15th after the work

The rest of the list can be found in thearticle, but I wonder about the inclusion of a brand new course that cost more than 20million and one that continues to drain resources from a community. How canthat possibly be up for a renovation of the year?

The Ball and Andrew Coltart

2012-01-09T14:42:00.004-05:00

The ball remains in the news this week with the announcement that Andrew Coltart is retiring from the game because of the ball....

"The Scottish Ryder Cup golfer Andrew Coltart is to retire from tournament golf, citing the advances in club and ball design as one of his reasons for quitting."

I find it interesting that he has specifically pointed out the ball as an issue.

"Coltart, 41, said that he was unable to hit the ball as far with the new technology as more powerful players, who can derive tremendous length off the tee with modern equipment."

But it's not just the distance that the players hit, its that the courses are being doctored to deal with the issue and simply playing right into the strengths of the longest on the tour.

“And the courses these days are set up to benefit those who hit the ball miles. Length is everything. The ability to shape shots and hit different types of shots isn’t nearly as important as it once was. None of which suited me. Over the last decade or so, my strengths have become less important and my weaknesses have been exposed."

They would still be longer than the field, the only difference is they would have to use more than driver and wedge 80% of the round.

“For me, golf is not just about hitting a long ball. It’s about knowing how to hit straight shots, draws and fades, high and low shots. But a lot of that has gone from the game at the professional level. It’s very one-dimensional these days.”

I've gone from watching golf most week-ends to watching only two to three tournaments a year in a decade. These guys are ... boring.

To read the article: click here

Solheim's Ball Proposal

2011-12-19T16:12:00.002-05:00

image courtesy Asian Pacific Golf Group

In thecurrent on line issue of Golf World you can find a piece written by the Ping Chairman John Solheim titled A Long Term Response to Distance

In the piece John provides hissolution to the debate on the distance the ball travels. He recommends a systemwhere a variety of golf balls, longer, shorter and the same as today be createdand players choose their ball and then a new handicapping system makes allowances for thetee and ball selection.

The following is from John’ssuggestion:

Here is how I think we can dojust that:

-- Replace today's single golf ball distance limit with three different"Ball Distance Ratings" (or "BDRs") - one that is the sameas today's limit, one that is shorter and one that is longer.

-- Adopt a "BDR Condition of Competition" -- each event couldapply the BDR appropriate for its course design and yardage, and for the skilllevel of the golfers competing at the event.

-- Include BDR as a factor in calculating handicaps -- just as "sloperating" or choice of tee box does today, the BDR of the ball you use willfactor into your handicap.

Press here for full article

The flaw in his idea is the inclusion of a longer ball. Almostall recreational players will want to play even longer ball. They would ratherbe given an advantage than work to find the improvement in their game necessary toovercome their weaknesses. Allowing this to occur may be a manufacture’s dream,but runs contrary to everything that makes golf great.

As a designer I’m frightened by what an additional 30yards of distance will do to the safety of golf courses. Most city courses arealready having a tough time dealing with the proximity of urbanization to thecourse and adding another 30 yards is going to increase the problems by a largefactor.

Finally as a designer I have enough trouble trying tocreate an interesting course for “all” levels of players. I have to rely onthe correct use of multiple tees to address the disparity in driving distance. Howwould I possibly design for a situation where players can choose differentballs with a further 60 yard variation on the current day?

Ideas like this are not practical. Speaking of practical, why don't we address the issue with common sense. Golf is clearly in decline.Consider this stream of thought and you’ll understand why I think the only smart choice is a shorter ball.

Shorterball flight = less land = lower costs to build and maintain = lower price pointfor consumer = more participation

Year in Review - Part 9 - The Future of Golf Course Design

2011-12-13T19:25:00.002-05:00

Famous image of Trent Jones from Life Magazine

“Ithink we’ll get back to 30 firms or so, there never was a place for so manyfirms.”

This was part of a quote from Ron Whitten used in Lorne Rubenstein’sarticle called Changing Times in GolfCourse Design. The article canbe found Here

This quote reminded me about when I was researching CharlesBanks. When Raynor died he found himself overwhelmed by a dozen projects. The MarketCrash of 1929 slowed his business dramatically but there was work for a fewyears. By 1932 there was nothing being built and Banks was bitter about hisfate.

The Black SwanEvent – Fall of 2008

The Black Swan is an unforeseen and unpredictable event that has anenormous impact on society. There is no way to predict the coming of a blackswan event, but history has shown us again and again that these events occurwith regularity.

The Banking Crisis of 2008 was considered a Black Swan Event. Therepercussions are still being felt even to this day. It ended the ability to accesscheap money with very little collateral which essentially killed the NorthAmerican real estate bubble which was driving golf course building.

In my piece on the Black Swan event I touched on another aspectof the theory:

“The reason I bring this up is one ofthe interesting ideas that goes along with the Black Swan Event is the notionof collective blindness leading up to the event. I personally think that to alarge degree we have seen collective blindness as a contributing factor to whywe had the financial crisis. Everybody enjoyed the endless growth, but nobodywas willing to step back far enough and ask whether it was sustainable and whatwould happen when the music stopped.”

The same can be said for golf course designers. Thiswas one of the greatest building booms in history and it lasted close to 20years! The profession seemed to believe/hope that the good times would last forever.And yet all we had to do was look back 20 years and find that almost no courseswere being built!

I’m glad I was around long enough to remember … andprepare for the worst.

What I did in 2009 - I had lots of time!

Remembering the Spring of 2009

In early 2009 a friend of mine asked me how I could possiblyhave no work after being so busy for the best part of a decade. I said that wheneveryone on the greens committee begins to wonder if they will have a job nextweek and whether they could pay their mortgage with one salary, it’s logicalfor them to get nervous about the situation of the other members at the cluband wonder what would happen if they quit.

“They have stopped all capitol spending.”

“So what will you do?” I was asked.

“I wait for them to become optimistic about the future…”

“How long will that take?”

“A few years …. but potentially the balance of the decadeeven”

No tag days for these guys!

Death of the BigFirm

Last year I wrote a piece called The Death of the Big Firm. It was easy to foresee from the outset. Whenthe real estate bubble popped, real estate based golf development was done andthis was almost exclusively the domain of the big firms with famous names. Thismeant that overnight the celebrity designer had too much overhead and too many peopleon staff. So with-in a single year three quarters of the staff were out ontheir own.

I would estimate that by the end of 2009 the number ofdesign companies had doubled, the available work had halved and 10% of allarchitects were out of the workforce.

Saved by China?

Chinasupplied a remarkable cushion to what could have been a nasty fall for theprofession. There was a growing realestate bubble in

China

.This one was based upon the premise of building new courses in order to securelarge private land holdings for future development. There were only twoproblems with this, golf does not seem to appeal to the average Chinese person andthe construction of golf courses is illegal in all but Hainen Island.

I would estimate that by the end of 2010 firms realized thatthere was not going to be a fast turnaround. The biggest and wealthiest golffirms downsized again. The senior designer who survived the first cut becamethe secondary casualties since there salary was no longer supportable by thelimited work. The survivor was the junior designer with CAD experience and alow salary.

I would estimate that by the end of 2010 the number of firmshad doubled once again and now 25% of all the architects from 2008 were now outof the business.

Death of the SmallFirm

I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t see this one coming.

What all of the above created was far more pressure on thesmall firms. There is so much more competition out with big firms now chasingwork that was up until recently too small, too limited or with too low a feestructure to catch their interest. The small firm is getting crushed by theexpense of competing against them as more clubs interview larger number ofarchitects and expect more from submissions.

The remaining small firms are largely niche players who havea specific skill set, highly touted reputation, a language advantage or a largeclient list of clubs built over time.

In my estimation the end of this year will see the number offirms dropped by 10% as a number of single person businesses or small firms havefound find they can not compete. I would estimate there are now approximately30% of the golf architects from 2008 completely out of the industry.

Stone Forest International in China , photo by Ryan Farrow

The Black SwanEvent – Part 2

I don’t think the crisis has run its course yet for golfarchitecture. I think there will still be a few more casualties in golf design.

The broader issue we face is stagnation in the world economy.I’m not a believer that there is another looming crisis or a double diprecession ahead. I think the worst is behind us. But I also think that economicgrowth will not return until we pay some of the bills we accumulated over thelast twenty years of “living well beyond our means.”

So as an architect is there another possible Black SwanEvent?

If the Chinese economy went into recession or the Chinesegovernment decided to enforce the ban on golf courses a lot of architecturefirms would find themselves on the precipice. The impact would be felt at hometoo since the competition would rise for what is left domestically.

Before you say it will never happen, consider this commentfrom Jack Nicklaus recently (unfortunately can’t find the source) ….

"China, for example, isshut down right now golf-wise. We were over there about a month ago with acourse two weeks from being finished that was shut down. They put a satelliteup to monitor it to see that nobody was working."

That would be a second Black Swan Event for golf design sincehalf the firms are dependent upon that area of the world. But I’m not quitethat pessimistic.

The potential rebuild of South Mountain in Utah

The Future as Isee It

I’ll stick with my prediction from two years ago.

“Thisdecade will see only a handful of well financed, well thought out,realistic business models getting built.”

Therewere a lot of awful golf courses built in the last 20 years. While I don’texpect many new ones to be built in the next 10 years, I do expect quite a few ofthe bad ones in really great locations to eventually get bought. I see a newtype of golf course owner who seeks only distressed facilities on great sites.They buy at discount, avoid the complications of the approval process, extractsmall development parcels to provide equity for the project and rebuild thegolf course in the process.

Year in Review - Part 8 - The Blog

2011-12-12T11:26:00.003-05:00

14th at Augusta from 10 Best Greens

Architecture Series

One of thepopular aspects of the original blog was the depth in which I tried to explaincertain aspects of golf architecture. Whether a series on short threes, acomplete review of bunkering or a detailed breakdown of the top architects inhistory. Each time that I went into detail I received a lot of positivecomments.

The problem Ifound originally was I ran out of original ideas after three and a half yearsof steady writing. This year I found some new ideas to write about and postedmy 10 Best Greens. I began a second series on the potential Modern Template Holes, but I became toobusy with work and abandoned the idea since each piece required more time thanI was willing to put into them.

The Direction of the Blog

As I said lastyear the original Caddy Shack, which is posted in the archives here, is mypersonal education on golf architecture shared. The stuff I posted on the WeirGolf Design site, also in the archives here, was a look into the design processspent on Laval.This blog is about my work on site, the situations I face and the decisions Ineed to make in construction. That will remain the primary focus until my workat Highlands and Lavalis finished this year.

17th at Laval from the right side

Laval

We will beginconstruction May 1^st assuming a normal Montreal spring. We will continue building theremaining greens, tees and bunkers which should be done by the end of the month.Grassing will also begin in May and we hope to get the greens and surroundsdone for the end of June. The fairways, bunkers and roughs will follow. I expectthe project will be completely wrapped up in August.

I look forward toblogging on the progress of each hole and starting to provide images of thework when complete.

I am presently collectingnotes and images to provide the club with a small book or binder that providesthe concepts, designs, changes in the field and final images so they can seethe process. I may share that too.

8th Hole at Highlands is next - the Birch hides a bunker!

Highlands Links

I hoped we wouldbe finished this year, but the reality set in mid summer when I began to takestock of what needed to be done and how fast we could work. The storm clean-upin the spring slowed early progress and horrible weather in the spring and fallmade it tough to work on some weeks. Efforts were also made to improve theconditioning of the course which often took precedence over the bunkers. Butthat was fine by me since there is a far bigger picture in play than just thebunkers.

So, assuming theParks can find the budget for the remaining three holes, I will be returning forapproximately four more trips next spring and summer to finish things up.

The 8^thhole will be a fairly easy place to start taking about two weeks to finish up.The 7^th will require major renovation to bring the right fairwaybunker and left greenside bunker back to their original forms. When you throwin the drainage there is approximately three weeks required. The big project ison the 6^th hole where the fairway bunkers and back bunker will befairly straight forward, but the left side complex will take more work to re-establishMeg. I see another three weeks with the drainage work included.

I’m reallyexcited about seeing all this work done and then going back to touch up a fewbunkers like the Dragon and Fireball to put those finishing touches on the bunkersand make sure the details are right.

3rd at Knollwood Country Club, New York

Blog Going Forward

In today’sbusiness environment survival is a bigger topic than design for mostarchitects. I’ll continue to comment on running a business, the increase incompetition and the additional expense and effort to find new work. But thefocus will remain on the work I’m doing and hopefully there will be a fewprojects other than Laval and Highlandsto talk about.

The one idea thatI’ve been strongly considering is to change the presentation from written tovideo. I plan to explore the medium between now and Christmas.

A typical page

The Book?

I know I bring itup every year, but I do want to write a book. Not for any financial gain or thebelief that I have something brilliant to share, but rather to collect all myyears of writing into somethingorganized to share with friends and clients. It will definitely beself-published. Last year I even came up with a format that I liked with the SketchBook.

I’ve decided someof the better “stories” I’ve collected are not for a book because they would rufflesome feathers. I have written them all down so someone else can have a laughabout a few of the circumstances I have found myself in. I do occasionallyshare them with friends.

But I don’t see getting to the book anytimesoon, since I fortunately remain busy enough with work to put it aside. In anideal world I won’t get to it for another dozen years and then may be I can addback in the stories.

Year in Review - Part 7 - Writing and Speaking

2011-12-11T08:39:00.001-05:00

When I first began my business I recognized that the opportunity to speak to my peers or publish an article in a golf magazine was the best way possible to show I had a different philosophy on architecture than the other architects. It was also an opportunity to share my thought on subjects like sustainability and growing the game. I realized this was another creative outlet to share more about myself.

My Writing

This year I wrote four pieces for magazines.

For the National Golf Course Owners Magazine I wrote a feature called The Best Laid Plans which talks about having a full understanding all the problems before you try and make changes to your course. For Score I wrote Ian Andrew's Bucket List which lists 10 public and private holes across Canada that you should try and play. Score also published my piece which contrasts the growth in skiing against the stagnation in golf skiing, the article was called Just for the Fun of It.. Finally for Golf Architecture Magazine my potentially controversial opinion piece called Hard Par, Easy Bogie was published.

Page 1 and 2 - click to enlarge

Page 3 and 4 - click to enlarge

Page 5 and 6 click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Speaking Engagements for 2012

Thursday February 9th, 2012

Canadian Golf Course SuperintendentsConference in Calgary

My lecture called Lessons from Melbourne will touch on how golf design has evolved in Canada and Australia and the long termimpacts of what developed in each nation.

February 22nd and 23rd

Atlantic Golf Course Superintendents Conference in Halifax

22nd - Bunker Restoration

23rd - Grassing lines, the importance of height of cut on a golf course

I’ve been approached to speak in March at Oak Hill in Rochester in April but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Monday - The Blog

Tuesday - The Furture of Golf Architecture

Year in Review – Part 6 – In The Press

2011-12-10T10:06:00.001-05:00

Whetherarchitects like to admit it or not, the ability to sell ourselves is far moreimportant than our skills as a designer. No idea, no matter how brilliant, willever get built without a client who believes in the architect's ability.

Presscoverage is a critical part of an architect’s career. We rely on members of themedia to tell our story and share the moments where we have done excellent work. These articles, blogs, video clips or radio pieces all help tell ourstory and build other people's trust in or ability to deliver as architects.

I've shared most of the coverage from the year.

Articles on Laval

Laval News Breaks on January 11th

Lorne Rubenstein breaks the storyabout Lavalgoing ahead this year.

“It’s going to happen,” Laval’s greens chairman Remi Racine, a Montreal businessman, told The Globe and Mail Tuesday. “The club voted for it last September. We are days away from signing the contract.”

For article: Click Here

Official Laval Press Conference June 28^th

Announcement in Golf Architecture Magazine

For article: Click Here

Image courtesy of

Mike speaking during the press scrum

Mike and I talking about the course during the press scrum
Click here to Listen

Robert Thompson Reviews Laval November 14th

How Mike and I plan on rewarding shot-making at Laval

For the accompanying article: Click here

Articles on Highlands Links

Radio Interview with CBC about Highlands Links June 10th

Interview by Fairway Stevie about Highlands Links July 1st

A video Interview by Robert Thompson about Highlands Links July 1st

Click Here for Video Interview

For accompanying article: Click Here

Parks Canada come through for Highlands by Robert Thompson in Going for the Green

"They should be applauded for what they’ve done. As hard as it was to imagine even a few years ago, Parks Canada has helped lead the resurrection of Canada’s greatest public golf course."

For article: Click Here

Highlands Links Returns to It's Former Glory by LeRoy Peach in the Cape Breton Post

"From greens to bunkers, this course is in the best shape that I have ever seen it. Indeed, Ian Andrew has breathed new life into it — increased its beauty and golf values. In his blog, he says himself that, “I have never been more optimistic about the long term future of the golf course.”

For article: Click Here

Articles on Ian Andrew

Architect/Restorer by Gary McKay for Hamilton Spectator

click on the image to expand

Architectural Consultations by Rick Young for Pro Shop Magazine

click on the image to expand

Changing Times in Golf Architecture by Lorne Rubenstein on November 3rd

"Whitten pointed out that the lack of work for new courses is at least helping the emphasis shift to renovation and restoration. He referred to Ian Andrew as one of the architects finding work in this area. Andrew, who is based in Brantford, Ont., has been working away steadily at restoring the Highlands Links in Cape Breton to what it should be. Ian and people in the U.S. are reviving and making some courses better than they ever have been,”

For article: Click here

Year in Review - Part 5 – Ian Andrew Golf Design

2011-12-09T11:51:00.001-05:00

4th fairway bunker at Highlands Links

I've had a surprisingly good year. I say that mainly basedupon the fact that many of my friends in the golf design business have not.Unless you are well established in the renovation business or working in China, this hasbeen a tough time to be an architect.

Since it’s hard to project what you will have next year, letalong a few years down the road I continue to heed Clyde Johnston’s advice ofkeeping it small, simple and efficient. Interestingly I’ve noticed my approachto architecture has shifted into that direction as I recognize the economicshift in clubs. I continue to have no desire to expand my company whichrequires me to be selective of what new opportunities I take on.

New Clients

I look only for new opportunities where the client and I area great fit. For that reason I’ve turned down three opportunities this year. Idid add one new client, Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club, which is a course Ihave always liked and one where I think some clever tree removal andrenovations can really bring out what a great setting this club has.

Renovation Work

I’ve been far more aggressive about grassing lines over thepast three years and a few of the clubs are now far enough along that membershave begun to see the impact of great grassing lines.

I received a great email from David Oatis of the USGAcomplimenting Scott Dodson and I for the great grassing lines around the greensat The Park Club in Buffalo.He loved how its really showcased Charles Alison’s green sites and made thecourse far more interesting to play.

I’ve also been working steadily with John Gall at Cherry Hill Club to restore the encirclement of short grass that used tosurround the greens. I had a chance to play there in the fall matches and foundthe ground game around the greens really added a lot to the experience. Themembership is looking to remove the last of Robinson’s extraneous mounds (addedduring bunker work done for the Canadian Open) and finish the surrounds on theremaining green sites.

17th fairway at Truro

The biggest renovation I worked on this year was to the 17^thhole at Truro Golf Club in Nova Scotia. The coursehad a serious safety problem with 2^nd tees being located barely offthe fairway in the landing area of the 17^th hole. To address thesituation, we cleared the trees from the top of the hill on the right side andthen continued the clearing down into the valley to open that area up forrecovery. The fairway was shifted significantly to the right and bunker andtrees were added to the left side to reinforce the shift in play. The green(which required rebuilding) was angled and sloped to favour the right side ofthe fairway and the bunkering was shifted to the front left bunkered tight to reinforcethe need to play away from the tees and to reward aggressive play close to thevalley.

The most unusual project this year was the renovation of the3^rd Hole on the Homenuik Nine at Oakdale where we removed the front bunkersadded last decade and returned the fairway in front of the green. It was done partiallyto address a safety issue with the road behind, partially for playability, butmostly to return the origins of the hole.

I was told by one of the better players at the club that thehole would be easy. I smiled knowing a ball with spin could easily end up welloff the green and he would miss the bunker that contained most of his shotsthat didn’t find the green.

People have always over-estimated the value of bunkers instrategy and under-estimated the power of short grass to create difficulty.

Restoration Work

Knollwood CountryClub

At Knollwood we restored another entire green site. Thistime it was the 3^rd hole where we brought back the shape of thefront bunker and the notorious back bunker. The green was also expanded backout to the edge of the plateau to bring all the lost pins back into play.

The Dragon - in progress - fine tuning to come

Highlands Links

The storm of 2010 was a particularly nasty one leavingmassive deposition on the 6^th, 11^th and 12^thholes. It destroyed half the bunkers and damaged at least part of the rest. Itwas also a blessing for me since it created an opportunity for the bunkerrestoration with-in the course repairs.

I’m used to working with an experienced team and while Ilike to get muddy I generally don’t get involved with the actual constructiontoo often. At Highlands that wasn’t the waythings were going to be done. I found myself waist deep in the middle of allthe construction work and often played the role of construction foreman.

I found myself with only minimal construction equipment thatwas available only part of the time and more often than not needing to do as muchas possible by hand. We were hard pressed to find good soil or materials towork with, but since importing materials was too expensive we simply had tofind a way to make do with what we had on site. When you consider that I didthis with the hardworking men and ladies from the local community this was exactlyhow the original course was built. How cool is that?

We have three holes to go. The fascinating thing is there isno guarantee that we will finish next year since budgets have not been set andthe Conservative government has threatened to cut the Park’s budgetsubstantially. But one thing I’ve learnt about this is never bet against GrahamHudson, he wants this done for the opening of Cabot Links and I know by hook orby crook he’ll find a way to get this done by the start of summer.

Green at Onondaga in 2009

Interesting New Trend

One of my clients around Toronto has a proposal to rebuild all eighteengreens in 2013. One of my clients near Montrealis slowly undertaking rebuilding all their greens and has completed 2 of their19 greens (spare hole). This fall I got a call from a new club looking topotentially rebuild all their greens over a series of years starting next fall.

When you look at Mississagua (2009), Lambton (2009), DeerRidge (2010) and Donalda (2014?) and we are beginning to see a trend towardsrebuilding greens.

There are instances where the greens have serious issues andneed rebuilding. My client near Torontohas no choice. But some times the chief cause is the growing environments andin the case of Beverlywe avoided new greens by addressing the trees and drainage at the greens. Theone thing I do know is unless you solve the entire situation, rebuilding greensis a massive waste of time and money.

2012

I have an interview coming up fairly soon at a club in Ontario and a couple ofproposals out to clubs that I would be thrilled to work with. I have lots oftime in my schedule particularly after Lavalfinishes up in the summer and I’m looking for some interesting projects to getinvolved with.

The fall sees rebuilding a couple of greens, theconstruction of a full practice facility and even the talk of some bunker worktoo. I’m confident that I will have a solid year, but right now I’m looking ata quieter year than the one that just finished.

Year in Review - Part 4 – Weir Golf Design

2011-12-08T08:20:00.001-05:00

John Paul Newport wrote a column in the Wall Street Journalthat contained the following comment ….

“I could turn up only four courseson track to open in the U.S. next year, plus one in Canada, and for 2013 justone more that seemed reasonably secure. “

The article can be found here: Click Here

I don’t think he counted our project among those and somewould call it a major renovation rather than a new course. But since there is aserious re-routing going on and nothing will be left of the original courseother than some corridors, I would say Mike and I are building a new course.

Mike at Laval

Mike’s Impressions ofHis First Project

From his blog on MikeWeir.com:
“I'vealso been staying busy with my course design work, making three trips in thelast little while up to Lavalsur le Lac for the work Ian Andrew and I are doing there. It's amazing how whenyou visualize something on paper and then see it on the ground how there can besome differences. So when we went there the last time, we had to tweak afew things, which I'm told is quite common. I'm really enjoying this workand I love getting out there and being on the ground, seeing how things cometogether and visualizing how the hole will play. I'm excited to see our visionfor the course come to reality.”

Victoria's 4th green site

The Influence of Australia on Laval

The inspiration for the Course at Laval is the architecture of the MelbourneSandbelt. While many are built over average terrain, the architecture and useof short grass around the greens makes these some of the more dynamic designsin golf.

In Melbourneshort grass wrap the entire green which means there is no long rough around theputting surface anywhere. This use of short grass surrounds helps to createmultiple options for recovery shots but also adds a little more difficulty tothe approach. With the sides of the greens kept short the wayward approach is nevercontained by a ring bluegrass and often a near miss will continue to roll outuntil the ball runs out of momentum. This means that the better player willfind that a shot that may have barely missed the green may now result in a verytough recovery to save par.

15th at Kingston Heath

The use of short grass is one of the very few methods thatthe architect has that can increase the challenge for the strong player andincrease playability for the average player. When playing from the short grass,the average player will simply select the shot that they are most confidentwith (or even play to a spot that takes them out of trouble). But the strongplayer will have to decide between all the options they have. They can putt,get creative with a bump and run, but are still most likely to select a wedge.The flop shot may provide them with the best opportunity to get the ball closebut is by far the most dangerous because of the tight lie. The wonderful resultof all this is they will be far more worried about the recovery shot than ahigh handicap.

The bunkering around the greens in Melbourne also has no rough. While we willborrow from this idea by having the approaches cut short right up to thebunker, we will need to adapt this idea to suit our own needs. The bunker bankswill need to have bluegrass faces to create a combination of definition andmaintainability for the club.

Commonwealth

Designing for theProfessionals at Laval

Australiainspired our greens, but so did Shinnecock Hills on Long Island. The greens at Shinnecock are fairly subtle until you getout to the edges where they often pick up momentum as they fall away into thesurrounds What this creates is lots of friendly pin positions up the middle ofthe greens, but a whole host of dangerous and complicated pin positions out onthe edges of the greens. This gave us the flexibility we needed at Laval to make the course toughfor tournament play and playable for membership play.

The only changes the club will need to make to host aCanadian Open is to increase the speed and firmness of the greens, cut thesurrounds tighter, and to move the pin areas out to the edges.

3rd Hole Photo by Robert Thompson

An Early Review of Laval

“Nonetheless,Laval is goingto have a very interesting course when Weir and Andrew are finished. It isn’tgoing to be one of those picture postcard courses, but a subtle, smart designthat looks like it should be fun and intriguing to play. Andrew and Weir havespent a lot of time working on the strategy from the start of the hole to thefinish of the green, making sure there are clear links throughout, something Ihaven’t seen a lot of.”

The rest of the review can be found here: Click Here

The Future for WeirGolf Design

We’ve talked to a few groups but in today’s economic climatethere are very few people who can get financing. We have two potentialprojects, but both are going to need the economy to pick up. We don’t have anext project, but judging by the article that John Paul Newport wrote neitherdoes anyone else.

Year in Review - Part 3 - In the News

2011-12-07T07:18:00.001-05:00

courtesy of Daily Mail UK

PGA Tour

Top 5 Highlights

1. Phil has the flag tended on the 18^th at Torrey Pines. Atfirst I thought the whole thing was comical. Then I began to realize the levelof self confidence he must have had when he almost made the shot…

2. McIlroy’s interview after losing Augusta.While Charl’s run of birdies should really get my nod, I was more drawn to thegrace of Rory as he showed tremendous grace in the face of a devastating loss.In a day and age of trash talk and excuses this was very refreshing.

3. McIlroy wins the USOpen. I watched it all despite the fact the win was never in doubt. It wasthe perfect answer to the final round at Augustafor Rory.

4. Bill Haas’s shot from the water. The fact that it was out of waterwith the tournament and fedex cup in the balance this was easily the best shotof the year.

5. Caddy Gate. Only Stevie could make Tiger look good in 2011. After not hitting a single shot, heclaims Bridgestone was “his greatestvictory.” Throw in his comments a few weeks later and the man is clearly anass.

Mike Weir

I like Mike a great deal. I want himto play well just for his own sake. I think he’s done a great job of dealinghis own disappointments and the media’s tendency to kick an athlete whenthey’re down. He’s remained fun to be around whether things go well or not sowell. That’s why I want to see him in contention, because I think he deservesthe pleasure that will bring him.

The Courses Do Matter

Royal Melbourne courtesy of Eurosport.com

Part One - Royal Melbourne

It rewarded thought over brawn. Iwas perplexed by the number of players who repeated the same mistake roundafter round. Jason Day on the 6^th hole was a classic example. Heknew he could reach the green, but never once realized it was the wrong playand managed to drive himself out of the hole every day.

The course was not long, but itrequired very precise placement on many critical holes. Some suggested it madeplayers overly defensive, but that was mainly created by them playing into poorposition. Once there, they finally took what they could, whereas a smarter playbefore would have done the same for the original approach shot.

Royal Melbourne proved that great courses requiremanagement and that is something we rarely see outside of the majors.

courtesy of Chicago Golf Report

Part Two - The Doctor is … out?

A few years back a group of players metthe commissioner to suggest that there were too many 7500 yard courses thatfeatured fairway bunkers on both sides with elevated greens surrounded by deepbunkers. They pointed to the season finale where this style of course made upalmost the entire run.

Yet the tour continued to play them.Many of the tournaments for the majors were also played on the same style ofcourse. The player’s frustration came to a head with an outpouring of criticismfor Rees Jones at Cog Hill surprisingly lead by Steve Stricker. It’s a nastyturn of events for Rees, who long enjoyed being the go to guy for tournamentgolf.

Having so many courses on tour washis calling card for the last decade, but has now made him the lighten rod forcriticism for what they players are clearly tiered of playing.

courtesy of Sportal.aus.com

Quotes of the Year

“On paper it looksto be a pretty even fight. Both are lightweights with long reaches but Allenbycan look rather mean when he stares so perhaps he’d go in as the slightfavourite.”

Sportsbet Australiaoffered $100,000 for charity if Ogilvy and Allenby jump in the ring

The press release can be found here: Click Here

Picture of theYear

courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Tweat of the Year

"when you run out of balls u run out of balls"

Tweated by John Day after he intentionally hit seven ball in the water to be DQ'd

Here’s hoping that when u run out of class u run outof invites…

Video of the Year

I give them mad props for having theguts to do this and laugh at themselves.

Retrospective of the Year

I really enjoyed John Paul Newport’s article on DeaneBeaman.

"I was not a commissioner that was loved,"Beman told Schupak. "I do believe I was respected. But I wasn't trying torun a popularity contest. I was trying to break new ground."

The article can be found here: Click Here

An Idea WorthRepeating

“A ball of 1.71 inches, says Feherty, would sit up betterfor amateurs, making it easier to hit, and be harder to control for pros.”

The article can be found here: Click Here

Please note Fehrety has pushed thisidea in the past as I reported in 2006 on my blog: http://thecaddyshack.blogspot.com/2006/05/larger-ball-this-is-new-idea-that-has.html

Article of the Year

I loved the article by Larry Dorman onBarney Adams Tee it Forward Campaign.

"Adams’s new quest is to change the attitudes of millions of recreational golfers by persuading them to Tee It Forward. As the point man in a national effort to, among other things, “put the fun back into golf,” Adams is working pro bono with the P.G.A. of America, the United States Golf Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to introduce golfers to a whole new world: the enjoyment of hitting shorter clubs into greens, the opportunity for more birdies and pars, and the prospect of faster rounds."

The article can be found here: Click Here

… which easily leads me to …

Golfer of the Year

Barney Adams for the Tee it Forward Campaign

Barney Adams courtesy of New York Times

Year in Review - Part 2 – My Golf Travels

2011-12-06T07:52:00.001-05:00

I played very little at home, but I still managed to travelquite a bit. The highlight came at the start of the year when I spent eightdays in Irelandenjoying the links courses along the West Coast. I also played in Denver for the ASGCAmeetings and travelled out to Bandon Dunes for matches on Old MacDonald.

The Best of What ISaw

11th at Ballybunnion (Old) - photo by Yannick Pilon

Ballybunnion Old

One of the great questions in all of golf is which course isbetter, Ballybunnion (Old) or Lahinch?

Lahinch begins so strong playing through the best parts ofthe property on the first nine and slowly works its way to flattish land as theround progresses. The back nine is held together because of some superior architectureand a tremendous collection of par fours. Lahinch is best of the twoarchitecturally.

Lahinch's short par four 13th

Ballybunnion begins slowly with some solid but unspectacularlonger holes heading you towards town. But once you make the turn and begin tohead back along the coast you get to experience one of the greatest rollercoasterrun of holes you’ll find in all of golf. The round is punctuated by three ofthe most glorious natural holes in all of golf.

It’s a tail of two opposites where both are exceptionalexperiences. I simply liked Ballybunnion for being a little more out of thebox.

The Worst Course

A 2500 sq.ft.green at Ballybunnion Cashen

Ballybunnion (New)

Rather than criticize, this is what I would have donedifferently…

If I were presented with that site I would have concentratedon utilizing a little less of the interior dunes and a little more of the farend of the site. I would have understood from the outset that I would have toleave some spectacular holes out of the routing to get a better golf course. Iwould also need to do this to make sure the course was playable and fun. Therouting would require restraint to be successful. It also needed to be a singleloop to create more flexibility.

My approach would have been to build very wide fairways withlarge greens designed to add playability but also to match the scale of thesite. The bunkers would be infrequent but on a large enough scale to fit thescale of the site. I would have either used sod walls to match the old courseor blowouts that appeared natural.

When building I would have spent a lot of time lifting thebottoms of the valleys to ensure adequate width on the interior dune holes andkeeping sites far enough away from the dunes to ensure some ground game commonto the links could be enjoyed.

I look at that site and know there is a great course on thatproperty if given the right approach.

2nd worst routing: Doonbeg, criss cross I'm lost...

Biggest Surprise thisYear

4th at Enniscrone

Enniscrone

We added this course after seeing a profile on Golf Club Atlas.

The course starts out with an epic run of holes through the massivecoastal dunes. The two par fives being particularly memorable holes. We assumedthe course would lose momentum once we reached the interior holes but weresurprised by a really clever routing and some ingenious architecture that madeall of the holes great fun to play. At the 11^th we headed back intothe coastal dunes for another fantastic run of holes highlighted by two awesomeback to back short fours.

The course marched trough the massive coastal dunes and outonto the ocean side dunes which were much smaller. The holes played through thesmaller undulating dunes with the ocean beyond, the town in the distance andthe massive coastal dunes up the right side. These new holes were allstunningly beautiful and very strong holes to come home with. Even the longfour finished that returned to flatter land was rock solid.

I’ve played more than two thirds of the Top 100 in the Worldand I would say this fits comfortably in the middle of the group. In my opinionthis is the 6^th best course in Ireland!

Worth the long drive: Carne, terrific routing

Next Year

Honors Club par 3 14th - photo courtesy of Golfclubatlas

The spring will feature a trip to Chattanooga. My three days of golf willinclude the Honors Club by Pete Dye, Lookout Mountain by Raynor and ChattanoogaG&CC by Donald Ross. I’m looking forward to seeing all three courses fordifferent reasons.

I will be very busy with Laval and Highlands Links so once the constructionseason begins I’ll be too busy to play until August. I doubt I’ll see much butI will make a point to go and see Cabot Links.

Two years ago I went to Australia as part of the Architect’sStudy Tour. This was an organized trip with and set of matches against the Australianand European Golf Architecture Societies. Next year takes us to Long Islandwhere we play National Golf Links of America by Macdonald (a personalfavourite), Maidstone by Park (which I enjoyed), Bethpage(which I admire) and Baltusrol by Tillinghast (which I have not played). I’lllikely add another couple of rounds on to warm up for the week and to make thisan even better trip.

I’ll likely finish the year up with a late fall round atOakmont and a trip to Floridato play in the matches if invited once again.

Where Next?

The opener at Sand Hills

I have two trips that I’m considering for the 2013 season.I’m very interested in Belgiumand Holland or London and the South Coast of England for thespring of 2013. I expect to have a very busy fall won’t arrange anything forthat fall.

Ian’s Bucket List

Sand Hills
Myopia Hunt
Woodhall Spa
Oakmont
Chicago Golf Club
Camargo
Hirono
Swinley Forest
St. George’s (England)
Machrahanish

Why no Augusta National on the bucket list? Because I haveno expectations of ever getting the chance to play it.

Year in Review - Part 1 - Architecture

2011-12-05T08:53:00.001-05:00

Best New Course

14th at lost Farms courtesy of Coolengatta Tweed

Lost Farms by Bill Coore in Tasmania.

I was lucky enough to see this course with site supervisorKeith Rhebb. It’s a fascinating study in routing. You see from miles away thatthe site is wild in places. I found it fascinating how Bill begins with twounderstated holes before heading into the dunes. I think this buildsanticipation although some critics have suggested it only creates frustration.He then uses another break at the 6^th before heading some wild blowouts for the remainder of the front nine.

He utilizes two more open areas at the 11^th and12^th to provide a break from the run through the dunes. Finally onemore hole routed over the interior flat land at the 16^th beforebeginning a beautiful finale coming home.

I love the mix of spectacular and simple to create somerhythm and anticipation in the course. Some have been critical of the approach,but I appreciate that too much of a wild run might have been too overwhelming

Best Renovation

16th at Pinehurst - courtesy of World Golf

Pinehurst #2 by Coore and Crenshaw

There is no renovation that was more revolutionary than Pinehurst#2. This represents the complete antithesis of Augusta National and may verywell represent a turning point for golf architecture and maintenance. Therestoration of the open sand waste areas punctuated with love grass is visuallystunning. The fact that this replaces irrigated rough creates a fantastic modelfor sustainability.

Architect of the Year

Bill Coore

Lost Farms, Pinehurst (w/ Crenshaw) and he may very well of built the bestcourse in Asia at Shanqin Bay on Hainen Island. Throw in the new parthree course with Ben Crenshaw at Bandon Dunes and you have one heck of a year.

Most anticipated New Course

Trump Scotland 1st Hole - George Wallace

Trump Scotland by Trump and Hawtree

I bet all of you assumed that I would say Cabot Links and Iam looking forward to seeing that one, but the course that has all the world’sattention is Trump Scotland.It is a terrific piece of dunesland. The course is being built by the biggestego in golf surrounded by much controversy and scrutiny. This is the single mostanticipated course in decades.

If you build it … maybe they won’t come?

Ballyneal is an awesome course. It’s also in the middle ofnowhere close to one of the greatest remote courses in the world. I have neverunderstood the model that keeps multiple facilities open in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.

The UltimateCommission?

For months I’ve watched all the biggest names drool over thepossibility of designing the Olympic Golf Course while the smaller playerscringe at the thought of all the committee work and interference in the design.

I don’t know one small firm that submitted a proposalbecause the proposed fee is too low for the amount of time this project willend up taking. This project is only possible for the biggest and mostestablished players in the business to fight over because essentially they willbe doing this project for the personal recognition it will bring. In mostinstances, none of the smaller players can afford the loss of income.

Is this the ultimate commission? No I’d rather have Trumpsproperty in Aberdeenand deal with Trump.

Hard Par, Easy Bogie

2011-11-27T16:46:00.001-05:00

from Golf Architecture this month

My Opinion Piece in Score Magazine

2011-11-10T16:46:00.001-05:00

Recent Highlands Links Reviews

2011-10-24T17:59:00.001-04:00

16th fairway

There has been a lot of people out to see the course this fall.
Here are a few of the recent reviews:

Going for the Green by Robert Thompson

"They should be applauded for what they’ve done. As hard as it was to imagine even a few years ago, Parks Canada has helped lead the resurrection of Canada’s greatest public golf course. While the sixth hole has struggled since the storm, everything else has vastly improved. Greens were in the best condition I’ve seen since the course opened."

story can be found here: http://canadiangolfer.com/g4g/2011/10/24/parks-canada-comes-through-for-highlands-links/

Fairways and Greens by Vic Williams

"A high storm in December 2010 threatened to send Highland Links back into the shadows, but the government came through with the funds needed to return damaged green complexes and bunkers to their rightful places in the vast Thompson repertoire, and though the course is closing for the winter, it’ll open next May with a full head of “come discover me” steam. With opening and finishing holes next to the Atlantic and a whole lot of high-flying adventure in between, Highland Links pretty much encapsulates the Cape Bretoner’s nature-embracing, fun-loving character."

story can be found here: http://fairwaysandgreens.com/articles/695-cape-breton-island-golf-part-1

Cape Breton Post by LeRoy Peach

"I didn’t actually play the Highlands Links, however, I toured the course with Clara Hardy, the starter, who pointed out the improvements made by golf architect Ian Andrew, hired by Parks Canada to recover features eliminated over the years — features which the great Stanley Thompson, the designer, had included in 1939. Ian Andrew did more. He improved the sightlines by culling the encroaching forest on some holes.

Let’s look first at the improved vistas. The trees have been removed from the third tee of the beautiful par three to improve the seascape, including Ingonish Island. Workers culled trees behind the green on No. 8 to let in more sunlight. Likewise there was a cull on No. 9 green and between the 13th and 14th holes — an improvement which now makes it possible to see the sixth hole, the par 5 along the ocean. The most spectacular sightline, however, is on the 16th green. From the back of this green one can now see the greens on Nos. 2 and 3, the tee on No. 4, and most importantly the beautiful North Bay beach.

Thompson was always cognizant of the importance of environment, of never taking away from nature. “Revealed holes” (that is to say, holes “found” in the landscape by Thompson) are juxtaposed against great natural backgrounds. Indeed, backward views were very precious to him. On the elevated side of the 12th green one can look back at the beautiful Clyburn. On the 16th green one views the wondrous face of Franey Mountain.

As well, there have been significant changes to the holes themselves. Through myriads of historic photographs, some of them aerials, Andrew has been able to put back certain features of this masterpiece. In some cases bunkers were rediscovered, in others tweaked. Likewise, some greens have been refurbished. The result is an ever more beautiful layout.

On the par three fifth hole, the bunkers at the back were reconfigured and the so-called dragon bunker on the right side of the green, just above a swale, redefined. The little pot bunker in front of it is the dragon’s flaming breath. Likewise on the 13th hole, a bunker (“a face with a missing tooth”) was restored. On the beautifully balanced 17th hole, a bunker on the left was restored and a bunker on the right was reshaped. Finally, aerials revealed fairway bunkers on the left at the 18th hole and those have been restored. All of these bunkers are stroke savers — depending upon the skills of golfers.
From greens to bunkers, this course is in the best shape that I have ever seen it. Indeed, Ian Andrew has breathed new life into it — increased its beauty and golf values. In his blog, he says himself that, “I have never been more optimistic about the long term future of the golf course.”

Naysayers be damned. I agree totally."

story can be found here: http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columns/2011-10-23/article-2784613/Golf-architect-Ian-Andrew-is-restoring-Highlands-Links-to-its-former-glory/1

Bucket List Piece for Score

2011-10-09T11:32:00.002-04:00

Interviewed by Fairway Stevie

2011-09-15T20:08:00.002-04:00

Interview on Sympatico about Highlands Links

2011-09-07T22:37:00.002-04:00

On Sympatico you can find a recent piece written by Robert Thompson on the recovery and restoration efforts going on at Highlands Links. Included with this is a five minute interview of the two of us talking about the repair work done this spring and the ongoing bunker work throughout the year.

The article can be found here:

http://www.thecheapseats.ca/2011/09/restoration-makes-highlands-links-beauty-shine-again.html

The video interview can be found here:

http://bcove.me/loipy5kb

The Return to Highlands Links

2011-08-23T19:37:00.003-04:00

17th on Monday night - we began the next day

The goal of the week is to restore the bunkers on the 17^th hole.

Tuesday began in pouring rain. Actually come to think of it every day I have worked here it has rained … Ok that’s not true … but almost every day has! I decided to take on the front right and back left bunkers today. The front right bunker was extended left about ten feet to restore the far end and the right side was expanded to reintroduce the original bay that had been lost. What both combinations did is put the front bunker back in scale with the back bunker.

The right and back bunkers pretty much redone

The back bunker was once one of the most interesting bunkers on the course. It had slowly evolved into a long simple bunker for maintenance reasons. It took a while to figure out the old lines, but we returned the old capes and bays to get the shapes back to match what we saw on the photo. I was pleased as we chased sand all the way up the hill to return the main bay. I introduced the crew to “chunking” where we excavate the fescue bank in large chunks and then puzzle it back together to create all the noses and lost lines where the bunker is filled in. The back bunker looked amazing after we did that.

You can see both essentially have their shape in the photos I enclosed.

The green cleaned up after a 4" watermain broke!

Everything was going TOO well all days as the work progressed far faster than expected. Then all hell broke loose as Jeff (the excavator operator) found a 4” irrigation pipe right beside the back bunker. The green was quickly inundated by a river that looked the colour of the Colorado. It took about 20 minutes to turn the valves off and then about an hour and half for eight guys to repair the irrigation break and remove all the silt, water and mud from the green with snow shovels, squeegees and upside down bunker rakes.

I worked 12 hours today shovelling, raking and getting about as muddy as you can imagine. Outside of the irrigation break, I could not have had a better day.

The Economy and Golf Architecture

2011-08-21T18:19:00.000-04:00

Frog's Breath - a private nine built while things were too good

I remember watching the economic crisis on 2008 unfold. I had more than a passing interest in what was going on since my wife and I invest in stocks. It’s easy to panic as your investments get cut down 10 or 20% in a short period of time, but we are buyers and not sellers, so we had a slightly different perspective than some. But the reality is that the movements of the market creative massive emotional swings in society. The stock market represents our fears and hopes more than it does our economy.

But November 2008 was different. It was a black swan event and was not to be taken lightly. Through the events that unfolded as the financial crisis became clear I watched all my work dry up in the Spring of 2009. I’m used to a lot of calls beginning in March and the season finding a head of steam by April. The clubs where I was supposed to work stopped projects and no new calls came in for a while. In my conversations with different clubs I found they were all scared.

Through good fortune I ended up with a lot of planning work that year. I had also financially prepared for a setback (too much work going on when participation was dropping fast - the dance had to end) and I used the additional time to do a few things that I always wanted to do. I’m not prone to panic as it turns out.

So here we are in another period of massive gyrations and wild emotional swings. There was a week with four consecutive 5% swings back and forth which suggests that emotions and emotions were running the day.

I started to think about the economy a lot recently. The impact that 24 hour news has and how they generate ratings through fear. I started to think about a stock market where programmed selling based upon quantitative analysis move the markets. It got me thinking about how on occasion how fragile everything feels.

So it got me thinking about the calls I have received from a few new clubs recently, a few old clubs making inquiries and even from the clients that I work with. I thought about what projects they want to do and what their “short-term” interests are. What I don’t get from any of them is a sense of fear. Everyone is aware of what’s going on, but the fear that permeated every conversation in 2009 is just not there.

The swings in the stock market are not what I pay attention to. It’s the underlying mood of the club I service that matters most. Their optimism tells me that I’ll remain busy with renovations while I patiently wait the decade out for the next run of new golf courses.

Hard par/ Easy bogie

2011-08-18T20:08:00.000-04:00

This will be a little out of the box….

I have often wondered whether the concept of “hard par and easy bogie” represents the low point of golf architecture.

A flat rollercoaster has no appeal. One with a single big drop has some limited short term appeal. But a roller coaster with a series of interesting twists and turns gains our undivided attention and has us lining up to ride again and again.

Rollercoaster design is far more complicated than simply sticking a series of endless thrills together one right after the other until the ride ends. If we tried this approach we would simply leave the rider vomiting.

The real secret to rollercoaster design is the space between thrills. Rollercoaster designers understand the rider must be given the opportunity to “recuperate” before the next thrill. Designers know to the second how long it takes to lower the heart rate, not back to normal, but to a point where the rider is prepared for what is ahead.

I used to think that the magical element of rhythm was an impossible concept to design, but lately I’m becoming more and more convinced that it just might be possible.

I think designers have to think more about juxtaposition. Every course needs a hole or two, or even a run of holes that become all about perseverance where a par is a celebrated score. In contrast I also believe it’s essential that every course should also have a hole or two, or series of holes where every player is thinking birdie. There should be clear cut moments where every player feels some freedom and others where you understand that only your best will do.

Most clubs spend a great deal of money making the hardest holes easier and the easy ones harder. And yet no approach could lead to a more average and uninspiring golf course. They are following the concept of hard par and easy bogie to achieve consistency. The net result is the golfer is never overwhelmed or at ease. This is golf without any thrills or reprieves. The concept represents the standardization of the game.

Yet this concept runs contrary to golf’s greatest attraction, its variety. What hard par and easy bogie does is remove any potential to develop the highs and lows that matter a great deal in a round. Golf needs its rhythms to make the experience special.

Interesting Letter from Stan Bush

2011-08-14T21:41:00.000-04:00

About 10 years ago I played most of the back 9 at CPC with Sandy Tatum, a few years after he retired from his tenure as the president of the USGA. We talked about the prodigious lengths that the pro’s were hitting the ball. He said that the source of the problem is primarily the ball, with the clubs being a minor “nuisance”, as I think he put it. He said the USGA had conducted extensive testing to determine what was the source for the distances being achieved by the pro’s.

[On that score, here’s a relevant aside. At Firestone I watched on TV as Bubba Watson reached the green on a 625 yard hole in two strokes and he did it with his driver and a 4 iron!]

Tatum’s principal concern was that too many great golf courses were becoming obsolete. He specifically mentioned Merion and Baltusrol. He told me that the USGA had tested the modern ball and the metal-headed drivers by comparing the distance results of the two technologies: the Pro V1 ball and other balls of its ilk ball with a 1960’s steel-shafted persimmon wood and compared the results of that by hitting 1960-type balata balls with modern metal headed drivers. The result (which you probably already know) is that they found that it was almost entirely the technology of the ball, not the clubs, that was the reason for the increased distances his by pro’s. On the basis of that data Tatum tried to persuade the USGA should try it on an event like the U.S. Amateur by requiring all competitors to use the same standardized ball provided by the USGA. Of course that idea went over like lead balloon - the USGA board rejected the idea out of hand. So, what do you think? Might one think that perhaps the USGA and the R&A too beholden to the likes of Titleist, Taylormade, Wilson, Bridgestone, etc.?

A couple of years later I heard that the Ohio Golf Association required all competitors in the Ohio Amateur to use a standardized ball which was provided to them by the OGA. As I recall it, that program lasted for two years and then was dropped. I don’t know why… but I can guess.

In my opinion, using a tournament ball would not be effective in levelling the field. After all, the longest hitters would still be the longest hitters with the mid-length hitters would still be yards behind them. No, the main reason – and Sandy Tatum was right about this – the main reason for a tournament ball is to preserve the game and the history of the game by keeping the older (e.g., the shorter) courses in the USGA portfolio of championship venues.

Stan

Prodigy versus Master

2011-08-10T18:12:00.002-04:00

Les Demoiselles d'Avignon by Picasso (courtesy Wikopedia)

A prodigy is someone who is blessed with a clear artistic vision from a very early age. This is not to be confused with knowing that you want to be an architect since about half of all current architects talk about wanting to design holes from a young age. The prodigy is the artist who at an early age possesses a clear vision of what they are trying to do. They are often the ones who talk about what they don’t like and see themselves as the ones to bring change to the status quo. The wonderful aspect of a prodigy is they tend to acquire the skills they need at an early age and through the clarity of their vision often have great success right from the outset. A prodigy is the artist that we tend to pay the most attention to, particularly while they are alive, because they excite us through their personality and work. The prodigy has the rare ability to create and “walk away” without much backward reflection on the work. They see each built vision as a perfect expression of that moment and appreciate for what it is.

Golf architecture has almost no prodigies.

The Basket of Apples by Paul Cezanne (courtesy Wikopedia)

Most great architects are Masters. The Master is equal to the prodigy in terms of talent. But their route to a successful expression of that talent is much, much longer. Like the prodigy they also know what they want to accomplish, but unlike the prodigy they rarely understand how to get there. They usually begin the journey without clarity and much of the early work is setting the table for what is to come in the future. They obtain clarity through exploration. They learn, work, experiment, seek new ideas, create, assess, refine, create and so on, often for decades until through determination and inherent ability they find what they are looking for. The main reason for this drawn out approach is they seek perfection. Even upon the completion of their most successful work they will often be surprisingly self critical of what they have created. It’s the determination to find perfection that drives them to the heights of expression that we admire.

Golf architecture has approximately twenty Masters.

Pro Shop Magazine Article

2011-08-04T21:50:00.000-04:00

Rick Young's article from Pro Shop

Why island greens are the worst idea in golf course design

2011-07-26T08:04:00.005-04:00

17th Hole at Bro Hof Slott Golf Course

I continue to be disappointed that architects still build island greens. They create the potential for a player to be unable to finish a round. How is that good for golf?

This comes from: Golf Digest's Week in Review:

“Impossibly strong winds turned the Bro Hoff Slott Golf Course into an amusement park, for those watching, at least. The two toughest holes were the par-5 13th and the par-3 17th, each of them playing more than a stroke over par. Fredrik Hed-Andersson played them in 13-over par, making a nine at 13 and a 12 at 17, the latter hole featuring an island green that in those winds had to appear the size of a manhole cover.

Hed-Andersson shot a 90, which wasn't the worst score of the round. Steve Webster shot a 91 that included an 11 on the 17th hole.

It was treacherous enough to erase an entire week's worth of quality work, as Christian Nilsson, among others, discovered. Nilsson would have tied for fourth with a par there. Instead he made nine and finished T-24.”

Rest of article can be found at: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2011-07/golf-strege-monday-recap-0725#ixzz1TD8qluSv

The architecture played a critical role in what unfolded at that event. Weather happens and we need to take that into account with our designs.

The Black Swan Event

2011-07-09T13:11:00.004-04:00

I’ve recently become very interested in Nassim Taleb’s idea of The Black Swan. The Black Swan is an unforeseen and unpredictable event that has an enormous impact on society. There is no way to predict the coming of a black swan event, but history has shown us again and again that these events occur with regularity. What is unknown is when.

Many, through hindsight, have suggested that some events like the financial crisis of 2008 were predictable, but we all know even with hindsight that timing the event was impossible. Therefore even the most minor of the events remain completely unpredictable. As a quick aside I don’t agree that a Black Swan Event can be a positive event such as the birth of the internet since the impact is far to long term for my definition. Only a devastating event has enough impact to change the “known” landscape in an instant.

The reason I bring this up is one of the interesting ideas that goes along with this is the notion of collective blindness leading up to the event. I personally think that to a large degree we have seen collective blindness as a contributing factor to why we had the financial crisis. Everybody enjoyed the endless growth, but nobody was willing to step back far enough and ask whether it was sustainable and what would happen when the music stopped.

Taleb’s basic theory is that all consequential events come from the unexpected. So thinking of all of this, I find it fascinating to look at the current state of the golf design business. I was reading about the level of work in the Far East and reflecting on how many architects are concentrated and busy in this region. A high percentage of that work is being done in China with a large percent of that on Hainen Island in particular. I kept thinking about this concentration of architects and projects and wondering what if the music stopped tomorrow?

What would happen to the golf design business if the government of

China

“enforced” the ban on new golf courses? What if the real estate market collapsed since nobody appears to play the game?

10,000 hours Theory

2011-06-23T09:16:00.001-04:00

10,000 hours = 3 hours a day for 10 years

There are very few days that I don’t work on some aspect of my art. Whether it is sketching, reading about design theory, seeing new courses, evaluating courses, actual field work or simply trying to get outside of my box and re-assess design from a complete new angle. I continue to work on being a better designer just about ever day of the year.

Herb Simon pioneered a theory in the 1970’s that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve a level of expertise in any sport or profession. After studying many of the world’s experts in many given fields, he found this to be a common denominator among the group. None were natural and ready from the outset. They all had a gift for what they pursued, but each one clearly had worked very hard for a long period of time to become very accomplished at what they did.

One important aspect that remains a critical part of this theory is the fact the person putting in all the practice and time has to have the natural talent to work with in the first place. If the person has no natural talent, even this level of dedication will not achieve mastery over their pursuit. They will always be limited by the natural talent that they have to work with. I was an awful writer in University. I’ve spent years writing every day and become good enough to get published. That is as far as my limited talent will take me. No additional time or additional education will ever help me master writing.

I have always believed in Seneca’s observation that Success is when Opportunity meets Preparation. In studying most artists, the elite are not the ones with the greatest “natural” ability. While they do come from a pool of naturally talented people, they are the ones who are willing to work much harder than anyone else to perfect their craft. The elite are not destined, but rather the combination of talent and determination.

While talent and developing that talent over 10,000 hours are critical to mastering your subject or profession, the final piece of the puzzle is opportunity. It took me a long time to realize that the 10,000 plus hours I have spent (includes the blogging) were critical to becoming a much better designer. I’m only beginning to realize that 10,000 hours may be just as critical to becoming a better businessman. It's going to take a little more creative thinking to increase the opportunities available in this challenging times.

My CBC Interview on Highlands Links

2011-06-10T23:23:00.001-04:00

My Article for National Golf Course Owners Magazine

2011-06-10T20:07:00.001-04:00

Page 1 and 2

Page 3 and 4

Page 5 and 6

The Emerald Ash Borer is here

2011-06-06T21:45:00.000-04:00

Entry Hole

I grew up playing a course that was once lined with majestic Elms. I found myself wondering how much more impressive the course must have been before that happened and often thought that watching all those trees die must have been depressing. Unfortunately we are all going to see something very similar as the Emerald Ash Borer sweeps through Toronto over the next tree years.

The beetle was first detected in Essex County in 2002 and has been slowly working its way east. There have been numerous confirmations on golf courses in and around Toronto beginning last year. Unfortunately all native and non-native Ash trees are susceptible. They were a common planting on many courses in the last 30 years and some are key trees for safety.

Since the adults and larvae feed underneath the bark of the trees, they are nearly impossible to detect. The only potential for saving some is an injection program that will protect the trees for a year at a time. But like any solution of this type, it’s expensive and not guaranteed. I spent yesterday deciding the fate of around 300 trees. There is no guarantee an injection program will work, but today we selected 100 trees to protect and hopefully save. That also meant I spent the day deciding which trees would go. I normally have no trouble removing trees, but somehow this seemed different.

I don’t think this is the end of our problems. The Emerald Ash Borer came from China and I expect more of these problems in the future as our economy is globally based. I’m not looking forward to the next three years as many courses will be dramatically impacted by the loss of trees. The only positive that will come out of this is that I have always pushed for diversity and I think clubs will be willing to spend a little more to provide that diversity and protection from the next event.

Feature Article in Hamilton Spectator

2011-06-05T21:07:00.000-04:00

Article by By Gary McKay

Golf needs to learn from Skiing

2011-05-17T11:39:00.004-04:00

Few sports have better kids programs

Skiing spent almost 20 years with zero growth. In the last 10 years skiing has had a golden period where growth and profits have soared. There have been a number of new resorts that have come on line to meet demand.

Around 10 years ago the ski resort owners, the ones with the most to gain or lose, sat down and looked at why their sport was struggling. They discovered that they were barely getting 10% retention rate with novice skiers. The major complaints were a lack of time (golf can relate to this), how they were treated and in their case the loss of skiers once the kids left the home.

When they looked into how people came to the sport, it was usually through family but almost as often through friends (very similar to golf). They found they had excellent retention with the group they called the thrill seekers, they had modest attraction to the group they labelled the tag alongs, but they had almost no retention on the group they called the socials. That group only came to remain part of the group. They realized that to make skiing more “sticky” they needed to address each group by making it a better experience tailored to them.

Skiing was given the “golden gift” just over a decade ago with snowboarding. Snowboarding brought in a dramatically younger but most importantly ethnically diverse group to the hills. It was the “game changer” for skiing. But skiing was not foolish enough to make assumptions that this was all it needed, like golf was with Tiger Woods. They built terrain parks for the thrill seekers and snowboarders in particular to say we are thinking of you. They improved service and changed the rental system to provide top notch equipment with excellent service to address the socials. Imagine if golf courses provide options for equipment where you could play your preferences at a resort without carrying your bag through the airport, that’s what skiing has accomplished. I rented rather than bringing my skis the last time I went west!

The game changer - snowbaording

But the real key was how they dealt with the beginners (socials and particularly the tag alongs). The mantra forever in the ski resort business was add to more difficult terrain to gain a greater reputation for challenge. The reality was 90% of skiers spent 90% of their time on the beginner and intermediate slopes. Once the ski industry understood that their efforts were misplaced they concentrated on expanding the beginner’s terrain and providing additional diversity in the gliding terrain. Skiing changed for the better and the consumer showed up ready to ski. They had improved the stickiness of the sport by catering more actively to the average skier (the golf industry has to see the clear parallel).

So let’s apply these lessons to golf. The easier the initial experience, the more likely the player is to return to try the game again. The more accessible and enjoyable the experience, the more fun the game is and the higher likelihood that the person stays with the game. So if golf really truly wants to break this cycle of stagnation, the answer is to build the game from the ground up rather than from the peak down. We have no need for championship courses. We need a decade of short, easy and fun courses to grow the game.

Thank you skiing for providing a clear road map to success. The question is whether we will pay attention.

Ireland - Day Seven - Doonbeg

2011-05-10T06:52:00.000-04:00

The opener at Doonbeg

When Greg Norman put together the routing for Doonbeg he was presented with a “snail” problem. Environmentalist had identified some key areas of great dunes where the project could not go into because of snails. All architects face restrictions and I’m sute these were frustrating.

The opener at Doonbeg is one of the very best of the holes on the course. You stand at the clubhouse and look at the glove like dunes at the end of the fairway and clearly see a logical green site for an opening five. This obvious choice eventually would lead to complications.

The 6th hole with 13th green below

The front nine was pretty good. I found most of the holes made sense and the flow was generally fine (ignoring the fact I could clearly see what was to come on the back). The ocean side 6^th was a personal highlight. I enjoyed his bunker style with marram grass edges and blow out style. I found his use of many central hazards was refreshing. The bunker on the 3^rd hole was epic. Finally the ninth was a super end to the nine, a short three set right on the beach with dunes that he clearly made (and were very well done!). After nine holes I was largely impressed.

The back nine left me not only flat, but really disappointed with many choices. There were great holes like the 13^th and 15^th, but the routing decisions and constant cross-overs were horrible. In my opinion he got enamoured with natural holes and never stepped back and looked at the overall impression that he would create.

The 15th with wonderful green site

Some holes did not sit right to me like the 10^th and 11^th. Others had safety issues like the 12^th where the 8^th tees were very much in play from the 12^th tees. The fact that the 15^th crosses the 5^th and then the players walk across the 5^th was again dangerous. A few of his architectural ideas were ill conceived such as the central bunker in the 12^th green which did not work (nor did the green contours on that green). Some holes were unplayable in high wind, like the 14^th, where the strange back angle of the green made the shot impossible in “any” prevailing wind. I found conceptually that hole made no sense. Finally the walk across the middle of the fairway of the 1^st fairway to play the 18^th was another head-scratch.

My conclusion was the routing was flawed. Greg found the obvious holes and included them in the routing, but never showed the experience or restraint to understand you must abandon some obvious holes to achieve a comprehensive routing.

Ireland - Day Six - Lahinch

2011-05-10T06:48:00.002-04:00

5th - The Dell Hole from the back left

Out of all the courses we played Lahinch had the best architecture.

It did have some unusual and brilliant holes in the Klondyke (4^th) and Dell (5^th) but each was very compelling despite a blind shot on the first and not being able to see 80% of the green (including the flag) on the par three. They just felt right despite what some would question as flaws.

The opener was my favourite of all the starting holes despite the fact the two previous days brought green sites and holes set in massive dunes. The others were beautiful but they were fairly easy due to the surrounding dunes collecting everything in. This one sat on a plateau with every miss leading to an uncomfortable recovery shot. It seemed to tell me – game on!

The front nine on Lahinch was by far my favourite with a run of “world class” holes beginning at the 4^th and running through to the 8^th. Even the 3^rd and 9^th were no slouches either. The fascinating thing to me was that once you finished the front, you were done with the largest dunes and as the round progressed you knew were going to head into lesser and lesser dunes as you go. I initially wondered whether the finish would be weak.

7th hole approach

The 10^th was played through a valley of dunes finishing on plateau, the 11^th (either one since there are two) was a short but fun three (I preferred the new one by Hawtree mainly because of the ocean backdrop and more attractive setting) and the long five along the river was an excellent par five. So far so good, but once again we know we are heading into lesser dunes.

The first surprise was the wild short four playing back into the bigger dunes. What made the hole super cool was the wildly undulating green. Throw in some giant short grass drop offs on the front and left and two super deep bunkers for emphasis and you got a great site. This led us to a progression of long fours and once again I worried about having a let down.

The 8th hole

The long 14^th was a tough hole straight into the prevailing wind, what made this really neat were the two “large” sentinel dunes on either side of the approach and the narrow neck leading a great slightly hidden green site behind. The long four heading back through the dunes was even better with an outstanding plateau green requiring real precision or creativity to reach. OK, wow, these are still great!

The downhill 16^th was a surprise, tough into a quartering wind but mainly due to the big drop from the tee to green. The hole must be Hawtree design since the shaping was a little too pronounced, but the hole was quite good all the same. The long 17^th was set in the flattest piece of land and with the least pronounced dunes. I was a little underwhelmed at the tee, but found the fairway full of some great internal contour (huge lesson when presented with a flat site) and the two sentinel bunkers flashed high in the fronting dunes which created a unique and interesting approach shot. Something from very little always leaves me impressed with a hole.

Hawtree's new 11th hole on the ocean

The 18^th was a bit of a let down as the dunes finally disappeared at this point. The tee shot was fine, but the second was fairly dull, even the approach seemed to lack something, until the green itself. The green was very good and the hidden short grass contours at the sides and back were actually wonderful (too bad they were hidden so well). I do expect they will eventually try and add something, I hope not too much, but it could use a few small flourished to get a great design to the finish.

In my opinion Lahinch was the best design we saw.

Ireland – Day Five - Carne Golf Club

2011-05-08T03:35:00.003-04:00

8th green site

Carne was definitely the course with the most potential. The dunes at Carne are every bit as big as the dunes at Enniscrone, but in this case they seem to be more spread out allowing for holes to comfortably wind between them. Eddie Hackett did a fine routing the course although he did leave a couple of question marks this time(the last of his career).

The course opens with holes routed through largest of the massive dunes, but quickly plays into the heavily undulating land away from the main dune line. Some of the holes like the 3^rd and 8^th are standouts and my favourite was the 6^th with a massive roll in front similar to the 13^th at Highlands Links. All the fours were excellent, whereas the threes and five we only good.

The number one issue I had with the course was the bunkers. The placement was too far away from any fairways and greens to create any strategy. The bunkering was actually a distraction rather than an accent and I think the course would have been better with none. I really think if a good architect was allowed to re-bunker the course, Carne’s stature would be raised immediately.

9th green bunker - they all look like this

The back nine is where Hackett ramps it up since he takes you into the largest of the dunes on the property. The short par five 10^th has an outstanding green site and should have been one of the greatest long fours in the game and be played from the front tees. This is mainly due to the prevailing wind that has it playing so short. The 11^th is the most famous hole, a short par four, that plays around a 100 foot dune all the way along the right.

11th hole from high dune

The 12^th was the only miss. The tee shot plays into a nice valley, but straight at an out of bounds and then turns hard left with a green cut high into the dune on the left. It just seems forced it the setting and left me questioning whether there was another possibility. The 13^th was a nice reprieve from the big dunes finishing out by the ocean. The 14^th is a cute three played along the dunes on the left with the ocean on your right. The setting is pretty cool, but the green is clearly too steep to pin and the new expansion is so poorly tied in. The 15^th, 16^th and 17^th are all world class holes. I was very impressed with the quality and variety. It was every bit the measure of the best of all the great courses we have seen so far, except the inexplicable bunkers. The 18^th is wild romp home over some crazy undulating land set between the big dunes of the site. This all finishes on a cool promontory

17th green

I would recommend Carne to anybody. The course is wild, fun to play and certainly has one of the most impressive settings I’ve seen. It was not as good as Enniscrone, but it remains a must play when travelling

Ireland

Personal note: I had an 8 on the final hole to shoot 83. I played the 7^th through 17^th at one over including a two shot penalty!

Ireland – Day Four – Enniscrone

2011-05-07T14:36:00.005-04:00

Every once in a while when you travel to see golf course, you are left completely astonished by what you find.

the landing area on the 2nd hole

Enniscrone begins with an impressive run through a massive set of dunes for the opening four holes. The highlights are the two impressive and thoroughly entertaining par fives that are as good as any of the great par fives in the World. The opening four holes are so impressive that you think a trip to lesser land would be disappointing, but its not.

The 5^th then features an elevated tee shot that must be carefully placed between two fairway dunes in the landing area. The returning four plays back along the same ground before finishing up at a really nice raised green site. The next five plays back off an elevated tee and bends slowly around a lower gentle dune line dotted with blowouts before ending up an elevated green set in the side of the dune. The par three 8^th plays off the dune line and out to well bunkered green site set in a flatter area. Finally the 9^th plays up the other side of the large gentle dune and features a massive blow out along the right side of the landing area and the ocean all the way down the left before finishing at a nice green. The point is even the “lesser” holes in the routing features some fun shots, plenty of character and some interesting architecture.

4th tee shot

The back nine begins with play up the main dune line and back into the main dunes of the site. The short three that follows is a gem featuring a super cool reverse redan setting for the green site. The hole that follows is one of the better short fours I have played. The scale of the dunes, the all or nothing carry over the blow out and an awesome plateau green set against one of the biggest dunes I’ve ever seen creates a hole that you will never forget. The short four that followed was quite tricky, but prudent play off the tee sets you up for a lovely pitch into a low bowl.

approach to 12th green

Now the really fun stuff comes. The 14^th a long five through incredibly massive dunes is as fun a tee shot as there is in golf. The approach is tricky because rather than a typical elevated or green the green is set down inside a large bowl. Not conventional, but sure was fun. The next two holes are standouts, a long par four playing between low dunes on the left and massive dunes on the right all while looking at the town across the bay. The par five employs a similar setting but curves gentle around the mammoth dune before finishing at a green site surrounded by dunes.

The finishing three is played from a high plateau to an elevated green that drops off on both side. I liked the concept a lot but found the “shaping” around the outside of the green to be out of character with the rest. There was some minor over-shaping at the 15^th too. The final hole is a long four played through two massive dunes followed by a long iron into a well bunkered green. Once gain the extra target bunkering on the right and over-shaped surrounds identified the work was done during a renovation.

16th hole looking back

All in all the course was outstanding. The set of fives is so good it rivals Highlands Links (which has the best set in my opinion). I would comfortably vote for Enniscrone to be in the top 100 in the World.

Ireland - Day Four – Co. Sligo

2011-05-06T18:46:00.002-04:00

The 4th

I really enjoyed Sligo and found the course fun to play.

The opener was easily the best one we have seen so far with a stunningly good green site. The next stretch of holes was great as you traversed the high hill with a four and five. The 4^th hole was a highlight with an outstanding plateau green that employs a cool Redan style green. It was really hard to hit the required shot being downwind, but the area long and left was all kept short providing some realistic options for play.

The 5^th tee is set 80 feet above the fairway and offers a wonderful view of the remaining nine and a great view of holes 13 through 17. Very few links courses offer such a panorama and it set the table for the holes ahead. The 5^th played downwind as did the 6^th. The 7^th and 9^th were played with a cross wind while the long 8^th was down wind once again. The holes rely mainly on the combination of burns and a really cool set of greens to be far more interesting than you would expect of flat land holes.

9th hole

The interest was raised once again One beginning with the 9^th and ending with the 12^th that all play along a far spine that eventually ends at Rosses Point. Each hole deals slightly differently with a major cross fall including a stunner of a three at the 9^th where some outstanding bunkering presents a really nasty challenge.

The 13^th quarters back into the wind with a three set close to the beach. From then on it’s all hard work. The 14^th through to the 18^th have you fighting your way back home straight into the prevailing wind. I found the holes somewhat interesting because the dunes are in play, but I was also disappointed in the architecture since it was almost non-existent. I was surprised at how the architecture was far less interesting than some of the interior holes over lesser land.

It leaves me with an interesting question about routing. Is an out and back that finishes into the wind “a firm test” of a players skill or simply a “slog” that I must avoid in my own routings.

Ireland – Day Three – Ballybunnion Cashen

2011-05-06T18:16:00.000-04:00

The 12th hole

We went to see the Cashen Course in the afternoon.

The front nine works its way through some massive dunes, but was reasonably playable. The opening hole was generous and the second was quite impressive, the third a beautiful par three and the fourth was a second stunning hole played down from a mammoth dune to the valley below and back into some smaller dunes at the end. I wondered what the fuss was other than the fact that the greens were at best 3,000 sq.ft.

The remainder of the nine worked pretty well although the routing could have easily been slightly different and eliminated the large walk from the 7^th to 8^th tees. The back to back par fives that followed worked well although one of them really should have been a long four making them feel different from each other.

The one thing I could not get my head around was the scale of architecture. The greens were so tiny and the bunkers were the smallest little “circular” bunkers that they were lost amid dunes. Even bigger was the issue of the greens being that small and presenting an almost impossible target

The 7th hole

The back nine was another story. The entire nine holes plays through the most extreme area of dunes and it felt like Trent had often sacrificed a potentially better routing to have the two finishing holes on the coast. The routing was often awkward, it had safety issues and almost every shot was an all or nothing proposition. Each player we talked to said the course was way too hard.

The issue with the Cashen is the scale. The scale of the dunes meant finding a routing was tough, although I’m fully convinced if he did not return nines and stayed out in the lesser dunes at the end of the site it would have been a much. The secondary issue was Trent’s inability to offer architecture that was appropriate for the scale and severity of the site.

I think Cashen was a huge miss on a great, but tough, site

Ireland – Day Two and Three - Ballybunnion Old

2011-05-05T18:17:00.001-04:00

2nd shot to 11th hole

Ballybunnion is one of the better routings I have seen in quite some time. It may be one of the most remarkable examples of how to slowly and meticulously present an excellent golf course. The opener is largely open and then the second presents a tee shot through massive dunes. The 3^rd through 6^th are all in open land before the golfer is presented with back to back impressive holes in the 7^th and 8^th. Once more you are sent back to open land before running through the dunes from the 10^th right through to the 12^th. One last venture into somewhat open land on the 13^th and then back into the biggest dunes right through to the18^th. It’s this slow and deliberate unveiling that helps bring the golf course to crescendo as you play.

The course could have easily relied on the numerous dune holes to carry the day, but the green sites on all the holes in open land are some of the very best on the course. Some like the opener and 5^th require some precision, but are open to all sorts of different shots, others like the 6^th and 9^th are so incredibly diabolical that only the most precise shot has any possibilities of success. The greens and the surrounds are easily a highlight of the course long before the dunes begin to blow the golfers mind.

Par three - 8th hole

The architectural highlights for me were the 6^th green (one of the very best greens I have ever seen and one that I will incorporate in my work – falls off on both sides at a diagonal), the 8^th (a brilliant and deceptive short three), the awe inspiring 11^th (which plays as an all or nothing approach after a dramatic tee shot) and the awesome long par three 15^th (which is as spectacular a long three as the game has). There are another half dozen wonderful holes on top of this too. It’s that good!

Personal note: despite high wind I had two rounds in the 80’s

Ireland - Day Two – Waterville

2011-05-05T17:30:00.001-04:00

11th hole - 2nd shot

The second course we played was Waterville. Waterville is a links course designed by Irish legend Eddie Hackett, which has subsequently undergone a lot of work over the last ten years under the guidance of Tom Fazio. Most of the work has been an attempt to add additional character to the holes routed over lesser land, but some of the changes have also been done to add length in order to keep Waterville one of the premier links courses in the World.

The opening nine has received most of the attention. The Fazio team has done a wonderful job of adding new dunes to make the opening nine feel more links like. They have done a great job of generating the variety in shapes, sizes and spacing. Unfortunately the architectural work, like burns and bunkering, had a decidedly North American feel and is not as authentic.

9th approach

That leads me well to my number one criticism I have for the course. The bunkering is mostly there to provide visual stimulation. I was surprised how often a bunker sat simply to the side or worse a bunker on the corner could be carried only to leave you stuck in the rough. I found that I really liked Waterville and felt the course was beautiful, but I was disappointed by the lack of strategy, particularly on the front nine. Playing away from trouble for the ideal line is anti-strategy to me.

The reason Waterville is in the Top 100 in the World is the back nine. The highlight is the par five 11^th. The tee shot is played between a wonderful set of large dunes and then the approach is played across or through a stunning deep valley back up to a spectacular elevated green all the way surrounded by large dunes.

I think Eddie Hackett did a marvellous job of routing the holes back and forth through the dunes for the opening three, plays off the top and then back into them for the next two and finally in and out of the dunes to the 18^th.

Waterville is well worth playing.

Ireland - Day 1 - Dooks Golf Course

2011-05-04T18:00:00.000-04:00

Dook's opening green

The Dooks Golf Club was our opening round in Ireland. The course was built mostly by the members over some terrific links land, but in recent times Martin Hawtree has been brought in to help modernize and update the course. Martin’s main focus was adding close to 500 yards.

I really enjoyed Dooks. The opening nine was definitely the strength of the course despite the fact that the holes run back and forth until the 10^th along the ocean. What I really liked was the variety of ways which the holes attack the main hill to generate different hole types. There may have been no real standout holes among them but the sum of the front nine holes was certainly a fun and enjoyable experience.

The back nine was good, but just didn’t have quite the same charm for me. My companions did like some of the early and late holes in the nine, but all of us saw the nine being the lesser of the two.

One struggle I had from an architectural perspective was the green site shaoping. The green surfaces

The enertaining 6th

were usually very smart, but my issue often came in the areas beyond. Rather than blending into what was there, far too often these were respaed to create repetitive undulations and rolls. The impact was the course contrasted against the surroundings rather than blended. It’s certainly something I would have avoided at all costs.

The biggest issue I had with Dooks was the way they lengthened the holes. It always seemed to involve an extended walk back to find the tees. There were at least six long walk backs and the experience quickly became tedious. I would have enjoyed a shorter course with shorter walks.

I’m glad we played the course, it was fun to play

Golf’s Most Influential Architects

2011-05-01T22:49:00.002-04:00

Walking the 18th at Quaker Ridge with Gil Hanse

Bob Vasilak wrote a recent piece for Golf Inc. titled “Golf’s Most Influential Architects”
I was interviewed and supplied some background information and a few quotes on Tom Doak and Gil Hanse. I did not offer comments on others largely because many are not an influence on me.

The piece can be read here:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/cypress/golfinc_2011spring/index.php?startid=34#/34

In it he listed the 15 Most Influential architects in this order:

1.   Pete Dye
2.   Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
3.   Tom Doak
4.   Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt
5.   Jack Nicklaus
6.   Robert Trent Jones Jr.
7.   Ron Fream
8.   Kyle Phillips
9.   Tom Fazio
10.   Greg Norman
11.   Rees Jones
12.   Gil Hanse
13.   Steve Smyers
14.   Richard Mandell
15.   Charles Blair MacDonald

Coore and Crenshaw's 17th at Bandon Trails

I'm influenced by Coore, Doak and Hanse (and lots of old dead guys like MacDonald too).

In the 16th spot he listed a number of American and foreign architects who received mention. I was a little surprised to see that I got a mention in the foreign group that included Nick Faldo, Michael Clayton and Martin Hawtree. Not bad company for a little Canadian architect who specializes in hostorical restoration.

We had a lengthy talk on the phone and Bob asked me to write one of the five sidebars on the course that had the greatest influence on me. While selecting St. Andrew's may be a little predictable, it was an honest selection. That particular experience convinced me that Max Behr was right and playing freedoms were the most important basis premise of my design philosophy.

11th Hole at St. Andrew's

Here is the piece I wrote:

After finishing an enjoyable round at St. Andrew’s Old, played in strong wind, I had an epiphany about the experience. I realized that the style of the architecture at the Old Course had little to do with punishing poor shots and had much more to do with encouraging intelligent play. It’s greatest attribute was the freedom to choose.

I had always appreciated how the course provided me with the option to select an appropriate route and the opportunity to play a variety of shots. I’m still thrilled by the unlimited options throughout the round, but it took a round played under difficult conditions to drive home the importance of having the freedom to set your own path.

I played well that day despite the wind. While I was pleased with the results, I knew that to improve my score that I would need to take on much more risk the next time out. St. Andrew’s Old is one of the few courses I know where you can have this sort of experience regardless of weather. Ever since that day, I have tried to provide the same freedom to choose in my own architecture.

Template Sries - #11 Knoll

2011-04-04T20:44:00.006-04:00

5th at Gleneagles (the ultimate knoll - 25 feet high)

There are so many great examples of this hole that there is almost no need to explain the hole. The concept is simple. The architect finds a prominent high point and places the green on the very top. The green area is then created by flattening out enough area for a reasonable putting surface. The putting surface is pitched hard towards the player and all sides of the green are left as sharp fall offs of rough.

The approach must be uphill from the landing and the knoll must stand up and out from the land around. I don’t believe a shot hit from the same elevation over a valley back and out to a knoll is the same style of hole. The uphill or even semi blindness is a key factor. I think the green should be at least ten feet above the approach shot because the player must judge distance “and elevation” on the approach.

11th at Essex County (hill on right is beyond hole)

From my own experiences the ones that I am drawn to almost all have rough on all four sides. There are a couple of fascinating alternatives presented by Tillinghast around New York that do use short in front. It does make these holes particularly menacing.

So how do I use this template?

This is certainly an ideal concept for a par three. The idea of a single shot up and onto a raised platform really appeals for the drama it holds. There exists the possibility of even creating a long hole as long as there is some realistic recovery options that go with the concept.

The best application appears to be the mid-length par four. I found the list of successful applications was so long that I could have listed twenty or thirty great holes. The one fascinating part of this concept is how most involve no bunkers. This is a great concept to incorporate when looking for a way to have a bunkerless green site. Adding bunkers simply adds to the drama.

I've seen fives like this, but I'm not as fond of the idea.

7th at Plymouth Country Club (350 yds. of nasty)

Influences:

5^th at Gleneagles (King’s Course)

7^th at Plymouth Country Club

8^th at National Golf Links

Winged Foot East

11th at Essex County
11th at Fenway
17^th at Rosedale

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

#7 Ridgeline

#8 Sideways

#9 Crown

#10 Table Top
#11 Knoll

Template Series - #10 Table Top

2011-04-03T19:27:00.002-04:00

7th at Scarboro (Tillinghast)

The 7^th hole at Scarbro Golf and Country Club by A.W. Tillinghast is easily my favorite short four in Canada. The hole is 275 yards, yet I’ve watched very few players ever make par or birdie.

The fascinating part for me is to watch a new player look at the hole, then look at the yardage on the card and smile with anticipation. I find ever new player I take there is quick to underestimate the complexity of this nasty little hole. The tee hot is brilliant because at 275 yards to the hole is so full of options. Every option appears reasonable and realistic, so the hole lulls you from the outset.

There are series of subtleties in play that all add up to make this a very cunning and difficult hole to play. The first up is the hole is actually a slight dogleg left but appears straight from the tee. The lay up “must” be played “well” to the right to open up the angle, but more importantly allow the player to hit directly into the green slope. The hole was even more clever in the past since the river used to hug this side before re-routing was done to reduce storm damage created through urbanization around the course.

The second factor is the land. The fairway is part of a valley bottom and is full of lot of subtle rolls and pitches that provide for numerous uneven stances. The fairway also has a large roll in the centre and the hole is so short that it seems hard not to leave the ball inside the 100 yard mark leaving a half or three quarter swing often from an uneven lie.

3rd at Lookout Point (Travis)

The magic of the hole is the green. The fact that the green is around 3,000 sq.ft makes this a tiny target. Even more critical is the green is only 8 paces wide making this an extremely difficult green to hit unless you’re perfectly lined up with the angle of the green. The combination of a very steep green, slight left to right cross-fall, a large aggressive false front and two deep bunkers that flank both sides means only the best shot will find success.

The back of the green may be the widest point, but even that can be a bad choice since the green pitches hard from back to front and no putts are made from above the hole. Actually few are made from the side either. That leaves the front of the green as the ideal spot to play to, unfortunately a foot short leaves the ball 8 feet below the green back on the flats looking straight up at a nasty front slope with a strong false front at the top. Anything short will come all the way back down to your feet.

15th at Jasper (Bad Baby)

So how do I use this template?

This can easily be played out as a three, placing the green on even a subtle angle like the Bad Baby (15^th) at Jasper can make this exasperating. That’s why the par three must remain quite short. Obviously this makes for a particularly good drivable par four, but once again runs the risk of being too much once the hole climbs into the mid 300’s. The one fascinating opportunity is using the green as the climax of a short par five where the player will often get the chance to give it a go, but the complications around the green may turn a miss into 5 or 6 quickly.

Influences:

15^th at Jasper Park

7^th at Scarboro

4^th at Woodlands (green is similar but use of short grass on either side is clever spin)

15^th at Fenway (Tillinghast create the big drop in the middle of the green this time)

3^rd at Lookout Point (drops on either side are nightmarish – angle is more pronounced)

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

#7 Ridgeline

#8 Sideways

#9 Crown

#10 Table Top

Template Series - #9 Crown

2011-03-27T20:22:00.006-04:00

can't post pictures - not sure why...

The short par three 11^th at Shinnecock Hills is one of my favourite holes. There are lots of great elements from length to layout, but the key element is the unusually brilliant green and the short grass beyond.

The front three quarters of the green has a very strong pitch forward with some subtle undulation. The closer you get to the front, the more aggressive the slope becomes until everything simply rolls right off the front. The middle of the green contains all the major pin positions with the easier pins involving a putt from below and up towards the back. Around three quarters of the way back into the green, the green crowns and the drops off very steeply by the back edge which leads into a short grass swale behind the green. This feature is one of the best four or five ideas I have ever seen.

Any shot played beyond the crown will pick up speed as it exits the back of the green and more often than not leave the player with a downhill lie for the recovery shot that must be then pitched into the hill to make it hopefully die just beyond the crown and remain on the green. Short returns to the swale and firm is off the front. The delicacy of the chip is unimaginable.

So how do I use this template?

This green concept can be used on any hole as proved by the three examples below. Shinnecock Hills is the most extreme example and in my opinion only suits a short three or reachable five. It does a wonderful job of balancing opportunity and risk on shorter holes.

The gentler version has more applications on longer threes, long fours and strong fives. It’s also an opportunity to use a semi aggressive version to create an extremely challenging four when required like the finisher at Merion. The features requires the use of short grass beyond the green to provide the ability to play creative shots from beyond the crown, otherwise the hole can be too onerous for regular play.

Influences:

11th at Shinnecock Hills

18th at Merion

15^th at Augusta National (don’t like the hole, but do like the green)

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

#7 Ridgeline

#8 Sideways

#9 Crown

Template Series - #8 Sideways

2011-03-17T21:41:00.004-04:00

The tee shot with creek up the left

The 5^th at Merion is special. The creek on the left defines the left edge of the entire hole, first as a diagonal carry from the tee and then as a hazard against the left edge of the green. The tee shot is hit into the natural bank rising from the creek. The tee shot can be a draw used to gain the flatter left side but even a slight pull will be wet. The more common approach is a cut that hits and stays up on the bank, but at least minimizes the risk of the creek. Unfortunately the second shot is from a lie well above your feet, where a pull or hook will definitely find the creek left of the green. So most try to throw the ball well up where Wilson left ample room for a bounce in approach, what’s not obvious is how narrow the margin for error is on this approach.

The other version of this hole is at Garden City. The 15^th falls hard from left to right from landing to green. The tee shot must be drawn to hold the strong cross-slope and then the second must also be drawn to keep the approach on the green. Since the draw must be played from a fade lie and the green is a perfect cross-fall. The difficulty is incredible even though the hole appears simple from the tee. It looks so simple, yet its so incredibly tough to play.

15th at Garden City

So how do I use this template?

I think the template works the same way in both cases. The land and green must share the same cross-fall. I like the Merion approach where the inclusion of a hazard with a slight turn in the hole allows for a little more opportunity and playability.

When no water is in play, I love the idea of the straight-on approach where the hole falls sideways and the shot must be shaped to deal with the cross-fall. I think this is such a simple answer to adding difficulty and disguising it within the routing.

The key in both instances is having a green that sets up ideally for a shot that is shaped and the land wants the ball to turn the opposite direction. This is the ultimate test of player’s ability and something that needs to be used more in place of length.

The approach with same hard cross-slope including the green

The one important note is this is definitely a template for only a four. Otherwise it unwinds the best parts of the design.

Influences:

5^th at Merion

15^th at Garden City

16^th at Huntingdon Valley

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

#7 Ridgeline

#8 Sideways

Template Series - #7 Ridgeline

2011-03-13T23:08:00.000-04:00

5th tee at Crystal Downs

One of my all time favourite holes in golf is the 5^th at Crystal Downs. I think the reason I love the hole so much is I’m not really sure there is a logical way to play the hole and for me that is a thrilling prospect. For the longest time I thought the hole was a one off. I assumed that the landscape was critical and Mackenzie’s unusual routing was sublime.

I’ve never found such a perfect hole as that, but lately I’ve noticed other similar ideas being used. One of the better ones is the 4^th hole at Bandon Trails where Bill Coore used a high diagonal central spine to set up a fascinating driving hole. The concept for the green is different, but they are too holes that I feel are exceptional and unique

The problems stem from the hole being short and players not willing to play very cautiously. The drive over the ridge is uncomfortable due to the high ridge. The player is given multiple clues for lines, but none of the bunkering indicates the line most choose. Since most players play for the ridge or beyond close to the green, they unwittingly take on the toughest shot possible without realizing the unnecessary risk.

From the green looking back at Bandon Trails

There are two other options both shorter and more right, but it’s hard to take those lines when the left seems so inviting. What most fail to comprehend is how much the green is cut back into the other side of the hill and how much it matters that you are well positioned. Throw in the problems of side hill lies and most players struggle with the hole despite its benign length. Only a well placed shot, far to the right can find a flatter lie and easier approach, but few ever venture there.

I always loved how Mackenzie or Maxwell placed a bunker dead on line with the green to suggest the carry to the green was possible, where in reality this line is pretty much certain death, particularly with the fall of the green.

So how do I use this template?

The diagonal ridge is really the key. It’s makes the drive a nightmare since you have the complexity of the angle which forces the ball to be turned over and then the risk of being too short or way too long which can cast a tee shot into big trouble. Since the green is cut on the far side, coming up short is a bad angle with a green going away. Contrastingly long will finds the down slope and unless the ball is turned over will be propelled way long and through the fairway. That’s why a key is to shorten the hole and allowing shorter clubs to be played, it justifies adding all this complexity. There is subtle version of this on the fairway on the 7^th at Riviera.

Influences:

5^th at Crystal Downs

4^th at Bandon Trails

7^th at Riviera

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

#7 Ridgeline

Template Series - #6 Serpentine

2011-03-08T21:44:00.003-05:00

The hole from the tee

I remember coming off the 3^rd green at Bethpage Black and being stopped in my tracks as I looked out over the 4^th tee and up the entire hole to the flag. It wasn’t the awesome bunkering that catches most people’s eye that I focused on, but some of the most beautiful serpentine curves I had ever seen.

The architect himself said this of the hole, “It should prove one of the most exacting three-shotters I know of anywhere. In locating and designing the green, which can only be gained by a most precise approach from the right, I must confess that I was a trifle scared myself, when I looked back and regarded the hazardous route that must be taken by a stinging second shot to get into position to attack the green.”

From above

The tee shot on the 4^th calls for an aggressive play down the left hand side. This can be achieved by carrying the single diagonal bunker on the left, or by using the cant of the land and employing a strong draw designed to use the land to skirt around the bunker. The more aggressive the play the easier the second shot or the better the opportunity to go for the green.

The second shot is a second carry angle, but this time in the opposite direction. The longer and further right you dare to go, the more chance you have to open up the green. The big risk you take on is the bunkers which are around twenty feet deep and so enormous that it’s easy to misjudge the carry and be left with a tough recovery.

At the second landing area the hole once again bends back in the opposite direction to reveal a green located behind a small rise covered in bunkers. The green mischievously falls away from the direct line and only by playing well right on the second shot can you find a receptive angle for the third shot.

4th approach from middle of hole

What always impressed me about this hole is all the contrasting land forms and carry angles. I love how each one was emphasized by Tillinghast’s enormous bunkers. This is a hole where placement and character are rewarded over length and I’m always looking for concepts that work well uphill. This is the best uphill hole that I know.

So how do I use this template?

This hole is all about contrasting angles and reinforcing those angles with impactful bunkering. The bunkering makes each carry angle or diagonal visually stimulating for the player which makes attempting the carry very compelling. Since they have serious depth the bunkers reinforce the strategic value of each shot. The fact that original hole climbs makes the carry and depth even more dramatic, but this concept could make it to a flat site and be just as effective. This is definitely the best par five template that I know of because it involves no water.

Influences:

4^th at Bethpage Black

6^th at Monterey Peninsula

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

#6 Serpentine

Template Series - #5 Peninsula

2011-03-02T10:51:00.001-05:00

I’m looking for reproducible ideas, so I will surprise you with some of my choices. I appreciate the comments I’m getting because they are making me think about possibilities.

The opening tee shot

I don’t think there is a finer opening hole than the 1^st at Pine Valley. What I love is the hole allows you to attack or accept the situation and play a smart. It all comes down to what you’re trying to shoot.

The opening tee shot features 80 yards of fairway straight ahead. On the right side of the hole is an enormous waste area dotted with copses of Pine and Oak. Because the hole is a dogleg right, the waste are creates a spectacular diagonal off the tee that can be flirted with to shorten the hole. The obvious play is straight out with a 3 wood or even rescue club, but the diagonal compels you to consider taking on the corner.

The apprach does not explain the danger

As much as I like the tee shot, it’s the approach that is absolutely brilliant. Everything leading to the green is at the same elevation as the green which allows for a running approach. The player has the option of playing short to remove the trouble at the sides and back and trying to get up and down for par. Par is tough from here, but possible, but you’ve eliminated any big number by being prudent.

But if you are trying to open with a solid par or birdie, you are more likely to attack the green and that is when you bring the potential for disaster into the equation. The green is deep and the pins tend to be towards the back. While the green is wide open at the front and tremendously inviting, the green narrows as you move towards the back making an aggressive approach very dangerous.

What I particularly like is how the drop off gets steeper the further back you go since the green is also narrowing at the same time. It’s a very subtle way to create something nasty that appears almost easy on the approach. I love the idea of lulling people into a massive error in judgment and this concept delivers that in a large way.

This hole is easy to build on any ground making this a very clever template.

So how do I use this template?

The hole is so easy to re-create that it begs the question of why is this not more commonly used. The key factors are the opportunity to play aggressively over the diagonal which allows players to attack and take risk, the availability of an easy longer and safer route around the trouble, the approach is inviting and on the same grade as the green, the green has enough depth to require players playing deeper into the green, there is nothing to stop the ball from rolling over the edge, the fall off gets worse as you go back making the most aggressive miss the worst penalized.

Influences:

1^st at Pine Valley

9^th at Fishers Island

12^th at Banff Springs (green site but with River)

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

#5 Peninsula

Template Series - #4 Road

2011-02-27T18:20:00.002-05:00

The approach shot into the green

The strength of the entire hole revolves about a single perfectly placed bunker and the brilliant green complex built to emphasize the position and importance of that bunker.

While I love the diagonal off the tee, because it plays off the opposite diagonal back into the green, I don’t think the tee shot is great. An artificially blind carry that has to skirt a hotel played over an out of bounds is not my ideal of a design feature I need to reproduce in my own work. But the real crime to me is the grassing lines that narrow the area where players can play safe. The greatest attribute of the tee shot is the ability to take enormous risk to gain a tremendous advantage. That and the opposing diagonal are all that I need to borrow.

Stay right and short for safety

The approach is one of the finest in the game. No matter how much you try and concentrate on any other aspect, everything comes back to the single bunker and how close you are willing to flirt with it on the approach. You have the option to play short and right of the green, but most feel compelled to shave off some of the distance in between that line and the bunker to provide a better result if played well. We all know the smartest thing to do is take that bunker completely out of play, but because the green is fairly open on either side of the bunker we are drawn into the possibility that we can be more aggressive.

What makes that shot great is the diagonal of the green combined with the road behind. Add this all into the equation and the approach is a nightmare unless played right and short, something we all seem unprepared to accept. So even if we carry the bunker, most approaches end up long and over the Road and against the wall. Once again we have been drawn in by all the opportunity and fail to weigh that against the enormous potential for disaster.

Notice the slopes lead into bunker

So how do I use this template?

It’s important to use the contrasting diagonals to reward aggressive play from the tee. After that the critical feature is the green site. The diagonal and supporting green contours in the front right are key elements, the drop off the back has options, but the single most important element is the depth and difficulty of the front bunker. This feature trumps all others since even the tee shot is made with the intent of avoiding that bunker.

17th Green from Above

I don’t like the template as a three since I like the double use of diagonals a great deal. The hole was once a par five and most templates involve a five and I’m fine with the idea, but I particularly like the combination of that hole, that length and a par four designed to bring intense pressure late in the round. It would be my preference to use the idea in a similar nature, but it could also make a fascinating short five too.

Influences:

17^th at The Old Course

8^th at Fishers Island

10^th at Shoreacres

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea

#4 Road

Template Series - #3 Azalea

2011-02-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

The Tee Shot

The tee shot on the 13th has to be shaped from right to left to get around the corner for a chance to go for the green. The golfers who hit the ball straight can easily find themselves in the trees on the far side of the dogleg or a very long way away facing a tough second. So players must turn the ball over to use the heavily canted landing area to gain position and create an opportunity to go for the green. Only a player able to control a strong draw can flirt with the creek to leave a flat lie and the perfect angle into the green.

A player who finds the fairway now faces one of the tougher shots in all of golf. The shot calls for a left to right approach since the creek crosses diagonally in front of the green and then continues down the right side. The safe play is to the front left of the green since there is some recovery from this area, chasing any other pin becomes a gamble that you won’t turn the ball back into the creek. This is an important time to mention that because it’s a creek, it contains the potential recovery, which encourages more players to try the shot than should.

The next factor is the stance in the fairway. The approach is hit from a right to left lie for a majority of the play to the green, so players are trying to cut a ball from a hook lie. Even the lay-up area has the same cant which creates the risk of hitting fat and ending up into the creek. Many over compensate and end up long from this position.

The Second Shot

The genius of this hole extends right to the green itself. The swale and bunkers beyond leave the player with a downhill shot to a green running away, with a large tier in the middle and short grass right into the creek on the other side. The green itself is wickedly sloped towards the water with a tier making up much of the grade in the middle. Only a shot on the correct level will lead to a makeable putt.

What makes this hole so very special is the balance between opportunity and disaster. Players can attack this hole at will, particularly because the hole is so short by modern standards, but they can pay a tremendous price for overconfidence too.

So how do I use this template?

The combination of fairway cant and hazard on the inside of the dogleg defines why this tee shot is so great. The ability to use a draw to work the ball around the corner is a key element since the draw is one that can best use that slope. It must be a hole that turns right to left and the cant must be strong to have the full impact.

The Lay-up Approach

The hole requires a fade off a draw lie on the approach which requires tremendous skill to accomplish. This rewards shot making and so does having to work the ball in both directions to attack the hole. The green site with the creek warping around the front all set against the hill is something worth emulating all on its own right.

Special note: In today’s day and age where we are no longer allowed to set holes on a creek, I would expect the best opportunity to create this hole would be using a valley edge to replace the creek off the tee and another valley sedge to represent the creek at the green. This template will be hard to find, although it would be easy to create if a creek/ditch is required to deal with a high water table. And that is where I expect to use this idea, possibly sooner than you might think.

Influences:

13^th at Augusta National

The List:

#1 Riviera

#2 Redan

#3 Azalea