First off, I have never met Jason Way. But I have conversed enough with him via phone and web to recognize both his passion and knowledge for the game of golf and for his appreciation of great golf courses and architecture. When younger, Jason was a caddy at the Old Elm Club in Chicago – and that is what pulled us together.
In April 2014, the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) gathered at the Hotel Palacio in Estoril, Portugal, for
If you’re living most anywhere in the Eastern US, chances are good the winter of 2014 has been a long, cold and entirely forgettable stretch. The Mid-South has also endured more than it’s share of snow, ice and record-cold temps. The Upper Midwest and much of the Northeast have been nothing less than arctic, hence […]
As you might imagine, architects get pressed quite often to profess our opinions about what makes one golf course better than another. And while I think that is more an individual preference (or left to magazines), there are some courses that stand out among the rest. But why? Is it their great beauty? Is […]
Ah, yes…. the stimpmeter. A simple tool used to determine consistency on putting green surfaces…. and, obviously, speed. Superintendents check the speed of the greens from time to time in relation to surface contour and slopes, to help in identifying proper cupping areas. And when readings meet the acceptable range, then the green speeds are […]
Human beings are creatures of habit, are we not? We certainly have a tendency to cling to the proverbial status quo. We also fear what we don’t know. For many things in life, routine and comfort can be good. In golf, however, we can easily get our boots stuck in the mud to the point […]
September signifies the beginning of late season renovation work in northern climates. There’s always the challenge for Club’s with such plans to squeeze in those last few golf events before things get dug up and messy… time is precious with colder weather only weeks away. The mad dash has begun! We’re busy this year […]
I have to blunt here…. to me, all the course ratings and rankings out there today have become rather insipid and an exhaustive re-statement of the impossible. But perhaps, there is another side of these listings to be considered? It cannot be argued that, in our business, it’s great if your course garners some attention […]
I have heard from some of you lately, wondering when they could expect to see the next blog. Sorry that things have been a little busy….but here’s an entry to hopefully get things back on track. I don’t know about you, but I both enjoy and find it worthwhile to sort through all the […]
Golf has been kind to the greater Toledo, Ohio area – a rich history of playing personalities, storied tournaments and grand courses. One thinks immediately of the Inverness Club, regularly regarded among America’s top 50 courses and host to US Opens, PGA Championships, and a US Amateur, among others. The course was designed by one […]
A number of years ago, Brad Klein invited me to speak at Golfweek’s Restoration Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. So as I prepared for my talk, I thought it might be high time to explore just what we all refer to as a “restoration” and how that differs from a “renovation” – a discussion that would […]
It seems that golf is at least somewhat inherently fun for most of us, right? Maybe because of the challenge it presents – man against golf course. Perhaps it is the camaraderie one can enjoy with friends. For some it might be the competitive encounters. It could also be because it is an outdoor activity […]