I love Christmas. You get to be nice to everybody for no reason. You get to smile and spread good cheer and clap friends on the back – all without Paxil (except you, Steve…you still need it;) You also get winter and bad weather, which is the perfect time to warm the heart of the golfer closest to you, especially if they are crazy enough to play in it...
2005 JAZZY AWARDS – BEST GOLF HOLE: #4 at BLACK ROCK, Boston, MA After seeing close to 100 courses this year, many ranked in the top 10 in America in either the public or private rankings, this was exceptionally difficult. I played many incredible, creative, beautiful, and strategic golf holes. In one stretch, I played Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and Monterey...
by Peter Black, Jr. The New York State Bar Association CLE lecture at Fordham University Friday featured some litigation shots that may have far reaching implications in the world of golf. New York intellectual property law expert Robert Clarida of Cowan Liebowitz & Latman in Manhattan argued that golf holes are no different than sculptures and that the more...
Three bits of housekeeping today. First, Tifosi, a Georgia company sent me two pairs of sunglasses to try on the golf course. The specs are supposed to cut out not only harmful UV rays, but are designed to provide sharp clarity of vision. I hate wearing sunglasses on the golf course, no matter how bright, but I have to say after being completely skeptical, I have...
Reason number 1,000,000 why the lore of Sawgrass is every bit as storied as any major venue. Noone who saw Tom Watson chip in at the 17th at Pebble Beach to edge Jack Nicklaus and win the U.S. Open will ever forget it. The next year, in an effort to capitalize on the shot’s legend, the U.S.G.A. asked Watson to reenact the shot, but at 17 at Sawgrass. With the...
The view from the 16th teebox at Pradera, near castle Rock, Colorado. Randomly placed pot bunkers place a premium on strategy.
The 4th at Lakota
The 13th green at Redlands
I am writing longer pieces on both, coming soon, but in the meantime here is the skinny on two of the best courses I have ever played or seen. LAKOTA CANYON RANCH GOLF CLUB 1000 Club House Drive New Castle, CO 81647 970.984.9700 www.lakotacanyonranch.com Architect: Jim Engh Par 72 Excitement Level – 11/12 Difficulty – 8/12 Conditioning – Four and...
The fossil monument lined 12th Hole. Photo courtesy of Jim Hajek and Jim Engh.
University of Denver archaeologist Dr. martin Lockley shows the Triceratops fossils that line the 12th fairway at Fossil Trace
I’ll write more tomorrow, but Jim Engh outdid himself (tough to do…I know! But he did), with the amazing Lakota canyon ranch. Tom Doak wrote that undulation is the soul of the game. Engh did that in spades. I have walked 230 places and I BARELY finished LKR. Its gorgeous. It’s got strategic options. It’s inexpensive. It has it all, jumoping to...
RED HAWK RIDGE G.C. 2156 Red Hawk Ridge Drive Castle Rock, CO 80109 720.733.3500 Architect: Jim Engh Par 72 Excitement Level – 8/12 Difficulty – 6/12 Conditioning – Four stars Cost – $75 high, 3PM twilight $50 Value – Four stars, (four and 1/2 at twilight) Overall – Four stars Castle Rock, Colorado has four superlative course all...
The floating green at Coeur D’Alene resort.
Photo courtesy of CDA Resort.
COEUR D’ALENE RESORT GOLF COURSE On the Lake Coeur D’Alene, ID 208.667.4673 www.cdaresort.com Architect: Scott Miller Par – 71 Excitement Level – 11/12 Difficulty – 5/12 Conditioning – Five stars Cost – $185 peak, $99 reduced Value – Five stars Overall – Four and ½ stars Tees Yards Rating Slope Tournament 6309...