Drew's Blog
10 Simple Thoughts on How to Promote "Fun" Golf
It seems that golf is at least somewhat inherently fun for most of us, right? Maybe because of the challenge it present - man against golf course. Perhaps it is the camaraderie one can enjoy with friends. For some it might be the competitive encounters.
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.
Reflections on Long Island Part Three of Four
Day three found us at Maidstone Club, again on the east end of Long Island. Maidstone opened in 1891 as a tennis and swimming club and then added a three-hole golf course in 1894.
Reflections on Long Island Part Two of Four
This is the second installment of four entries, or otherwise the second day of the trip. Day two found us at the National Golf Links of America, on the eastern tip of Long Island on Peconic Bay.
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.
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.
Just a Game
This afternoon, I watched from our deck as my 8 year old son marched through the backyard lugging over his shoulder a bag of mismatched golf clubs, an oversized glove on the wrong hand and a fist full of bright colored pin flags. I slumped in my chair so I could watch his event unfold without distracting him.
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.