I saw this recently and was flabbergasted. Now, I’m all for pushing the envelope, but this seems a bit garish for my taste. Do you like this? We’re gonna take a ten day poll, results late next week, but I’ll post more pictures every so often. Here’s a link to check out more pix of this course in Dunkirk, France. Vote here in the comments or by...
There is a goodly amount to like about Tom Jackson’s design at Stonewall, but once again golf course economics tend to detract and distract from an otherwise good performance by a designer. Jackson may have done the best work of his career here on the shores of Lake Manassas and in the shadow of the famous and very private Robert Trent Jones Club. Tee shots...
The year was 1975. An article ran in a prominent business magazine discussing marketing and fan interaction. “Color and motion may spur on a team to victory” it crowed. “Get me a Gimmick! Your contract is up in three months!” roared Vice President and General Manager of the station that broadcast Steeler games at Myron Cope, the radio...
The NFL players union filed a grievance against player agent Carl Poston, principal in his own agency with his brother Kevin, seeking disciplinary action against the firm “Professional Sports Planning” for alleged mishandling of Lavar Arrington’s contract with the Washington Redskins. Arrington and Poston had filed a grievance against the Redskins...
Time for a little golf design education. The truly expert golfer knows how to “read” a golf course. The architect is trying to teach you something almost all the time when you stand over a shot. (Note: happily the “doctrine of deception is resurging. That’s where the architect doesn’t spoon feed you your line off the teebox. But...
Recently I endured a Hollywood director’s mind-numbing rant about how angry he was that “March of the Panguins” blew away pretty much everything last year at the box office. “I can’t uncerstand it” he moaned. “It had no production, no budget, no plot and one star, who never appeared on screen once!” How dare it! I...
TALKING STICK (NORTH COURSE) 9998 E. Indian Bend Road Scottsdale, AZ 480.850.7302 www.talkingstickgolfclub.com Architect: Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore Par: 70 (35-35) Price: $125-$170 in high season, $75 in low Excitement: 8/12 (11/12 for purists) Difficulty: 6/12 Design: 6-1/2 stars (out of 7) Conditioning: 5-1/2 stars Natural Setting: 5 stars Overall: 6 stars Value:...
I crack up every time I hear Frances McDermott giving that Scandinavian “jaaaaa” during “Fargo.” But the secret is out, the public golf in Minnesota, North Dakota and Northern Wisconsin is no joke. North Dakota has a trinity of great, affordable public golf. Start with Jim Engh’s Hawktree. Located just outside Bismarck, the best point...
Those of you who watch the British Open regularly or play in the UK will be familiar with the term “Biscuit Brown.” Loosely translated, that’s the UK term for brown baked, fast, firm links style fairways. They are not green and lush, but play just fine. Those of you who watched the final round of the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock saw the concept...
Last week, two ESPN radio jockeys were debating how embarasses the Vick family must be after Marcus stomped on an opposing players defensless calf with his cleated size 16. Vick was kicked off the football team, permanently dumped after the Gator Bowl. The ESPN apologists (all bow down to the Holy Church of the Professional Athlete), simpered that compared to Billy...
Here are some recommendations when you are booking your trip to the Valley of the Sun and points beyond for your golf vacation. They are in no particular order. High End: 1) The Boulders Golf Resort, Carefree, AZ Price: $298 and up for unlimited golf and one nights stay in a casita. Setting: 7 stars Value: 5.5 stars Golf: 5 stars The Boulders is a must play and stay...
Seen left, Palo Verde (left) and Ocotilla (right) are just some of the interesting vegetation Jim Engh had to work with along with Saguaro Cacti to frame the edges of Blackstone C.C. in Peoria AZ. Played Blackstone today with friends. We were the only ones on the course all day. I’ll have longer piece on my website shortly. The course opened in Sept, is par 72...
WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB 18200 East Toh Vee Circle Fort McDowell, AZ 85264 www.wekopa.com 480.836.9000 Architect: Scott Miller Par 72 Excitement Level – 10/12 Difficulty – 4/12 White, 7/12 others Conditioning – Four and 1/2 stars Cost – $195 peak, $135 reduced Value – Four to Four 1/2 stars (seasonal) Design – Four and 1/2 stars Overall...
THE FALLS GOLF CLUB at LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT 101 Via Vin Santo Henderson, NV 702.740.5258 www.lakelasvegas.com Architect: Tom Weiskopf Par – 72 Excitement Level – 7/12 Difficulty – 7/12 Conditioning – Three and 1/2 stars (NOTE: Played in dormant season. The conditioning was fine, just dormant. Greens are five stars.) Cost – $275 Peak...
Have a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2006! Something a little different today before I get to back to golf. I want to thank A. Vitullo & Sons of Utica, NY for many years of terrfic formal and businesswear. Being an Italian from Upstate New York, it’s a miracle I’m literate. (Relax everybody! It’s a joke!) But even though upstate New...