The first part of this article, which discusses Jones’s classical and travel poems, is here. Let’s review. Last time, we discussed how Jones likes Shelley and Eliot, uses classical mythology and travel for some of his inspiration, and fares better with his metered work than with free verse. Sticking with the metered poetry is good practice –...
We all know Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (Bob to his friends), is one of the greatest names in golf course design, but did you know he is also an accomplished poet? With a Yale-Stanford education, you can bet he couldn’t avoid classical literature. Moreover, Jones has a broad and deep palette for inspiration: T.S. Eliot and Percy Bysshe Shelley, (two of his...
So I’ve been working on a Robert trent Jones, Jr. interview and it’s going to reveal some fascinating insights into one of the greatest designers and nicest men you’d ever want to meet. You will be so elated to hear his thoughts on golf course architecture, Chambers Bay, other great architects, and poetry. Yes, that’s right; I said poetry! ...
Thanks to Sal Johnson for running this piece that compares golf architect Tom Doak to Twain’s Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s court. From the piece: Even his gibberish enraptures those hanging on every word. Morgan achieved “miracles” while uttering ridiculous “magic words” like...
Two important Reads of the Day dominate the golf world today. First, I’ll see The Philly Inquirer’s Joe Logan at St. Andrews tomorrow (the one in Hastings-on-Hudson), so we can talk more about how mutual friends of ours are restoring Cobbs Creek. Hey Joe! Mike Cirba! We should do a “home and home” of Cobbs Creek and The Knoll Club (West)...
Well, figuratively, not literally. Tim Rosaforte didn’t actually take any x-rays or hit the patella tendon with a rubber chicken or anything. He’s not a doctor, but he plays one:):) The only thought I have is after watching Woods roll his ankle at Tulsa in person, I wonder if that might not be the excta date, time, and place of injury. I’ll...
I wrote it here and at Cybergolf back at the PGA Championship; the enabling and coddling of John Daly needs to stop, for his own good and the good of his little boy. I wrote: “His opening-round 67 and comedy-routine press conference won the last few remaining hearts and minds that had never quite been his before. “I finally get him now,” remarked...
Thank Goodness Geoff Ogilvy temporarily halted the canonization of St. Eldrick. If I have to endure one more sacchrinny-sweet article full of nothing more than rehashed hagiographic hero worship, I’m going to eat my boxers. Hagiographic – (adj.), defining a biography or description of the lives of the saints. Hagiographic (n.) – saintliness. Anyway...
There is nothing dignified, intelligent, altruistic, classy or analytical about Chris Berman’s tired ESPN shtick. That’s why Sideshow Chris just wouldn’t work at the classy, dignified, altruistic Masters, says Phil Mushnick. ESPN’s cherished 15-25 y/o male demographic doesn’t watch Thursday/Friday a.m. coverage of the Masters, but...
That would be GWAA award-winning Alan Shipnuck on Ballyneal and Sand Hills. Looks like Alan’s angling for another one, this time in Special Projects!
Karl, a great writer and an even better guy, is one of the really nice fellows in the media tent. He shows there is truth to the old adage “Think Yiddish, Dress British, Act Irish” – meaning have a good head for business, dress tastefully, with classy elegance and style, and be happy and friendly. Karl slams slow play on the tour in his...
A few weeks ago I introduced everyone to one of America’s finest playwrites and producers, George Larkin. George’s newest project, the Baghdad Prom, a play which taps into Iraqi writers explores how the Iraqi intelligentsia and literature community see their daily lives. Certainly not a piece to simply “Bash Bash for bashing Bush’s...
Sal Johnson, editor-in-chief and publisher of Golf Observer, has finished his e-book previewing the entire 2008 PGA TOUR season and has it available for download at Golf Observer.com for a mere $12.95. Considering you’d pay $8-15 for the tournament program of any particular tournament during the year, Sal’s 52-week guide is not only a staggering bargain...
So you get two videos for the price of one this week. A. Reading List! First, meet George Larkin, playright, producer and filmmaker. Few people have as broad and deep a background in literature as George; Deerfield Academy, Yale University and the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon (where he worked with the actors of the Royal Company!) The depth and...
If there is anything better than turning down the sound on the Stephen A. Hole…err…Screamin A. Smith…err…Stephen A. Smith donkey show on ESPN, it’s turning him down for an epic read. Meet Marino Parascenzo of Inside the Ropes. Marino is one of the old guard, a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America and long-time...