With apologies to Shakespeare for cribbing, now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by Coore and Crenshaw. We-ko-pa Golf Club, fast becoming the flagship of Scottsdale golf, will open the Saguaro Course by this minimalist tandem on or around December 16. The Scott Miller course is now named the “Cholla” course, after a small sausage shaped cactus indigenous to the region.
The facility is not just a one of the prettiest faces in the area, but showcases outstanding golf course design by two different, but equally meritorious styles. Its the perfect place to get away from the winter golf doldrums. Miller has lines of charm everywhere with his bifurcated fairways. Here’s what to expect from the Coore and Crenshaw piece on Minimalism, from an earlier piece I wrote:
To all you casual golf fans who are impressed with waterfalls, brand name designers, “augusta white sand” in the bunkers, stained glass windows in the clubhouse, scenic views of (insert marketing drivel), and “magic gates” that open when you drive through them to the course, book tickets to Scottsdale, AZ.
Right now. There’s a golf course you NEED to see.
What’s that? Forests of giant saguaros? Yeah, we’ll see them.
Waterfalls? Nope, won’t really be needing any, but thanks all the same. I’m trying to cut down.
Lost balls? No, the fairways we’ll be playing are 80 yards wide…no you read that correctly 80 yards.
Who designed it? Coore and Crenshaw. Yes, Ben Crenshaw who captained the Ryder Cup team. What else has designed? Why quite alot…have you heard of Sand Hills? No? How bout Bandon Trails? No…the Scottish kid and “that dude who’s helping Nicklaus on Long Island” ***pause for gasp*** his name is Tom Doak by the way, built the OTHER two excellent courses there…well, how bout Kapalua, you’ve heard of that, I assume?
Yeah, the course you just saw on TV. I thought you would know it…
What? You’ve never heard of golf like this? Its called “Minimalism” and guess what casual fan, it’s firing on all cylindars all over the country. Crenshaw and Coore have set off a trend which purists have championed, serious intrepid golf fans are embracing and which still flies under the radar screen because it trades bells and whistles for truly great golf holes that make you think.
Thinking…before hitting a golf shot…it should not be as frighteneing a concept as it seems.
“Minimalism” basically means that the designer moved little to zero earth in layout out (“routing”) the golf course. Basically, they planted sticks for tee boxes, planted sticks for green sites and designed the holes around this most basic of plans. Minimal interference with the native vegetation, minimal expense and the widr fairways are a welcome change to the very narrow limited turf/target designs the area touted for so long.
Also, Director of Golf Jeff Lessig has fantastic news about the way the course plays: “The course plays firm and fast, and accentuates bump and run shots and putting from off the green – you will need those shots to score here. Coore and Crenshaw laid this course along the ground.
Reaction from AWITP: Outstanding.
In an unrelated matter, I was named Associate Editor of Cybergolf last week. I’m honored to work with them, just like I’m honored to write for Sal Johnson and Golf Observer. I couldn’t ask for better bosses. Yes, I busted out my weathered, dog-eared, scribbled copy of Strunk and Whyte’s The Elements of Style.
Oh, for those of you scoring at home “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York” is the opening line of Richard The Third. Never underestimate the power of a great lead and never settle for anything less.
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