One of the best benefits of ESPN’s waning “golf coverage” is that we won’t have to hear them beat the drum as much about their “upcoming golf coverage.” This works especially well this week at the FBR Open where last year was a constant indoctrination...
We interrrupt this golf website to bring you a special bulletin. Scientists have confirmed that a solid, rocky “Kuiper Belt” object orbiting our sun called “UB313” is actually a “tenth planet” and is larger in diameter (by 1,500 miles) then the former...
So most of you panned the 18th century fortification shaping of this French Golf Course. By an amazing 95-5 ratio, Dunkirk’s sharply angled fairways and less than flowing lines seemed both too artificial and too much baroque crap to resonate at all with you. Could you imagine being...
All right I’ve had it. This calls for an epic rant. I was out with this girl and talking about how great the Blue Man Group Rock DVD is and I wind up my glowing review with “And they played “Baba O’Riley” for an encore! What does she say? “What’s...
I got trapped in a bar last night with a bunch of drunk NYC cops who never follow golf, but sure follow Tiger. “Yoooooooooooooooo! Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiger!” they screamed through a beer-fueled haze between “Where day playins? San Diego? Aww dat’s buddaful!”...
The first part of my article on Redlands is here. Below, you’ll find the UPDATED star system ratings, based on the SEVEN star system. Most of Engh’s unique design elements are present at Redlands. His trademark squiggly muscle bunkers are placed “randomly” –...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
New Years Eve…on a weekend…in Las Vegas. Total sensory overload. Oh well, could be worse, at least it’s mild here. Winter in NYC is great when you’re somewhere else that’s warm. Golf starts tomorrow, but lets look at some excellent choices for Las Vegas...
American Airlines misrouted my golf clubs. I’m in Vegas, the clubs arrive later…courtesy of Orlando. They blame TSA at LaGuardia. Right. Meanwhile, here’s more of the Strantz interview. Tune in later for “things to do in Vegas when the airlines screws up your golf...
I was rattling through all my notes and tapes and found some interview snippets form my 2004 interview with Mike Strantz that I never posted. I hope you like them. I’ll have more later this week. Jay: What is the driving concept you use when laying out your holes? Mike: Where the...
…and as the shephards lay in their field an angel of the lord appeared to them and they were frightened, but the angel said to them “Fear not, for I bring you glad tidings of great joy! For this day, in the city of David, a messiah is born and this child shall save you from...
I’m happy to announce details for the New Years 2006 tour, which will have two separate legs and a total of eight courses, including one private layout which opened a mere few weeks ago. First, I’ll be reporting live each day from Las Vegas over the New Year’s holiday...
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...
CALEDONIA GOLF AND FISH CLUB 369 Caledonia Drive Pawley’s Island, SC 800.483.6800 www.fishclub.com Architect: Mike Strantz Par 70 Excitement Level – 9/12 Difficulty – 6/12 Conditioning – Four and ½ stars Design – Four and ½ stars Cost – $120 peak, $80...
The Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore “Back to the Future” Minimalist tour (yes, capitalize “Minimalist” from now on) is firing on all cylindars in the desert. The Yavapai Indian Nation, owners of the We-ko-pa Golf Club in the Fort McDowell Region of Scottsdale had the...
Here’s something interesting when you have time for a long term project. Take your favorite architect and play three or four (or more) of his designs in chronological order. Then trace the evolution of his design style and see how his philosophy changed over time. Two good examples...