Drew's Blog
Why is Golf Fun?
I'm not attempting to be trite here! The subject of "fun" has become a trendy topic of late and, in all seriousness, fun is something that has frankly been overlooked in our fine game for some time. Not because of lack of interest, but because the game became perhaps a bit too serious on the business front.
Is Newport National the New Model?
The past few years have been exhausting. Golf industry trends have been as depressing as the Nightly News. So when you hear a success story, it really stands out and makes you take pause. One such incidence involves a links style golf course in Rhode Island that I co-designed with Arthur Hills called Newport National Golf Club.
The Value of an Architect
After reading a well-penned piece recently from Adam Lawrence, called "Growing Together", I felt compelled to jot down a few key thoughts that bear highlighting. "“ Adam, please accept my apologies for any plagiarisms "“ but your message is very well put and worthy of repeat!
Brown by Design
It sure has been a heck of a summer, hasn't it? The upper Midwest has seen some brutally hot periods very dry, and windy. Not a great recipe for keeping a golf course looking good "“ not to mention our own yards.
Resurgence of the Par 3 Course
In an answer to golf's needs of today, Mom and Pop's old par three course is making a comeback, and so is the executive 9-hole course, or any other of a myriad of optional golf opportunities that target kids and beginners while fulfilling the time, cost and fun factors that resonate with players of all skill levels.
When April Can Go Bad
When I was a kid I used to love watching the Masters on Saturday afternoon and then head out to the local course where I pretended to play my own version of "Amen Corner". And on a balmy, still afternoon in Robinson, Illinois it still felt to me like Augusta. I never won a green jacket, but I sure had fun just imagining what it would be like.
Can't See the Course for the Trees
Donald Ross, architect of over 400 notable golf courses, said once of trees, "As beautiful as trees are, and as fond as you and I are of them, we still must not lose sight of the fact that there is a limited place for them in golf."
Thoughts on Rio
This past week marked a bit of history, and perhaps the dawning of a new movement in high profile, international golf course architecture. Pennsylvania based Gil Hanse was appointed to design the official golf venue in Brazil for the 2016 Olympic games, and we take with that decision a few, key notes.
Reflections on Riviera
I confess that I am less intrigued these days by watching the PGA Tour on TV than in previous years. Aside from the Open Championship and being serenaded on my sofa by the guitar music of the Masters (is there a better afternoon nap, interrupted occasionally by chirping birds or gallery roars?), I tend to take a pass on most tournament coverage these days, much the same as I do the NBA.
A Lengthy Discussion
Long has been the debate over the perceived push for longer courses or the accommodation thereof in the game. Frankly, this turns into a much broader topic than should be attempted in one post, but let's take a shot and see where this goes.