Drew's Blog
Lake Zurich A Brand of Golf All It's Own
I've certainly enjoyed my share of "perks" while working in the golf industry. And while work often supersedes many of the opportunities presented, once in a while I get to take in some really unique golfing experiences. One such opportunity came about this past season when I was invited to visit Lake Zurich Golf Club in the north suburbs of Chicago.
Jens Jensen & the Evolution of Today's Landscape
Now I can recall sitting in a college lecture hall, over 20 years ago, listening to my Landscape Architecture History professor babble on about English gardens, pocket parks, Sir Humphrey Repton, Capability Brown.and a fellow by the name of Jens Jensen.
Back Again to Bandon
Surely by now the word is out.there is a world class golf resort on the coast of southern Oregon. It's called Bandon Dunes. There are four 18-hole courses on the property and they're all ranked among the Top 100 in the US.
Golf Courses and Machu Pichu; A Connection?
Several weeks ago, I found myself channel surfing (a common, last ditch effort before going to bed). I happened to stumble upon a program on PBS on Machu Pichu.
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.
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.
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.
My Fifteen Most Enjoyable Courses to Play (for the fun of it)
For me, this is a fun list "“ not to be taken too seriously. So, it's not up for debate or for comparison with the Top 100 lists. It is simply a mentioning of some courses that offer up a good day on the course "“ for me at least, and maybe for you as well.