A skyline green at ’s new American course at In the Footsteps of The Old Man: Nick Flanagan’s 2003 US Amateur Triumph Casey Wittenberg came to the Sutton Bay US Amateur Championship of 2003 with a patrician background, a lifetime's grooming to become a golf star and the requisite designer golfing attire Nick Flanagan brought along five years experience in the game, rumpled khaki shorts and a cheeky grin. He was the player most unlikely, faced with a phalanx of the world's best amateurs. As the Australian gulped and gazed at the thousands of spectators lining the hallowed fairways Featherie, c.1850 Gutta percha ball Rubber cored ball Longa-Life ball from Early US size ball Slazenger B51 ball Slazenger B51 Fire Titleist Acushnet K Lynx Jumbo ball Titleist Pro V1, 2003 Published by the with moulded pattern, with mesh pattern, England, c.1935 (1.68 inch) Spalding used by Bobby Locke Ball used by ball, 1972 1.8 inches in Society of Australian c.1900 c.1920 Tournament, c.1940 in Australia, c.1950 in Australia, 1965 diameter, c.1985 Architects of opulent Oakmont he may have thought he was in for a beating... so did the fans... and so did Wittenberg... ABN 40 913 055 171 Golf Australia House 153-155 Cecil Street South Melbourne Victoria 3205 Australia

ISSN 1446-1943 Golf’s greatest asset? The politically Meanwhile, the USGA’s incomplete Don’t they mind that they’ve had a The USGA is unable to test refined Renovation projects or new courses Yes, every golfer loves the distance That architect happens to be visiting How do we take golf back from the correct, feel-good answer is obvious - testing procedures have made the hand in changing golf’s Wrigley Fields? launch angle conditions tailored to are looking for distance and other ways boost they get. But distance fixes some of America’s greatest courses as manufacturers? Look to Softspikes. Editors Neil Crafter Twin themes run through our magazine this year. The first is Australians in America. The wonderful achievement of young the people. Without those devoted golfer’s equipment become nearly as Not only have we torn down the ivy- individual swings, which is how the to rig courses so that they produce a have not been enough, as every you read this, working with the USGA and Paul Mogford Nick Flanagan explodes hackers in their sweat-stained bucket important as his skill. covered brick walls at many of our manufacturers have circumvented the certain course rating or back tee study suggests that golf is losing to oversee design modifications to The golf course industry single- PO Box 196 Nick Flanagan in winning the US Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in 2003 came precisely 100 years after an Australian born from one of Oakmont's caps whizzing around in GPS guided classics, but now we’re buying the real USGA’s testing limits (and will continue yardage, instead of focusing on ways customers because of the excessive accommodate the distance problem handedly campaigned for and Brooklyn Park SA 5032 bunkers on his way to the golfer last won this prized trophy - when ‘The Old Man’, Walter J Travis, captured the last of his three US Amateur carts, there would be no golf. Right? Thus, many lovingly built and estate in the neighborhoods beyond to, even under the new USGA to make the design more fun. time it takes to play, the high cost he led the charge against. implemented the ban on metal spikes Australia 2003 US Amateur crown maintained courses - most serving center field to expand our playing testing guidelines). of rounds, expensive equipment to improve turf conditions. Over [email protected] Well, without golf courses, there would the sport admirably for decades - are fields. All to prevent a frivolous lawsuit Already an expensive endeavour, and the difficulty of the sport. The USGA Green Section will continue 12,000 courses now ban metal spikes, www.sagca.org.au Championships in 1903. At the time of his win, Travis was 41 years old, a remarkable feat considering he did not take up the be no place for those people to play. purportedly letting us down because from a few manufacturers. Distance increases have empowered architecture has been chosen to bear These insidious elements are all tied to on and the US Open will remain one and all because it started on (big pun game until he was 35. Travis’ first win at Garden City GC in 1900, came only 4 years after he hit his first ball - and Nick Flanagan Contributing photographers Courses are golf’s greatest asset. they can’t withstand an assault from many average golfers to think they are the expense of this ever-changing the rubber band effect on golf courses, of the four majors, but the USGA’s warning here), a grass roots level. Laurence C Lambrecht had only been playing for 5 years when he won in 2003. Travis had already dabbled in golf course design and after his retirement today’s equipment. But it’s not just Even more disturbing is the notion longer and better than they really are. game. The equipment manufacturers, where designs have stretched and once respected place in the sport has John and Jeanine Henebry And how are the governing bodies old courses that can’t keep up. that the ‘legal guardians’ of golf have Courses are then expected to ensure who believe it is their birthright to sell narrowed to combat distance. been undermined not only by its The same can happen with the golf ball. Dick Durrance from competitive golf, threw himself full-time into this new vocation and made a most successful career. We examine his life, and the golfers showing their love for bought into the marketing spin that the integrity of slope so that handicaps the latest ball and driver, contribute complacency, but largely thanks to Introducing, the Classic Course Ball. David Scaletti golf’s architecture? By suggesting that One layout hosting a PGA Tour event equipment advances have made this ‘travel well’ and so the layout remains only complaints that the industry is Only a handful of people in the golf Executive Director David Fay’s his achievements and his designs in our Great Australian Golf Course Architects series, along with those of Carnoustie immigrant, The American was the son of a touring pro and a Walker Cup player. Flanagan's Travis, known as ‘The Old Man’, won his first US Amateur in 1900, and again courses are easier to alter than the in the fall of 2003 was lengthened hard game more accessible and ‘respectable’. not bringing new customers to golf. industry see the expansion of courses arrogance in shrugging off repeated Here’s how it could work. Every time Design Jorgensen Design father was a Newcastle coal miner and his mother a supermarket checkout clerk. in 1901. He is perhaps best known for his British amateur win in 1904 at Dan Soutar, the architect of Kingston Heath. Graham Marsh is one of Australia’s favourite golfers, with a successful world-wide equipment rules. (at its own expense) to add yardage in popular for the masses. Unfortunately, The club pro, whose living they’ve as a good thing. In a survival move, pleas from folks like . the topic of adding new bunkers or Printing Five Star Press Sandwich. It came in the form of a card from , who had been trying a mad race to keep up with this year’s the various economic indicators and Because better players who drive undercut by shifting pro shop business the golf magazines have avoided planting trees comes up this fall, winter playing career that now continues on the Senior Tour in the United States. But it is not just with his clubs that Marsh has made While Wittenberg's parents were mesmerising him with the golf swing as a toddler, for some time to reach the 19-year-old by phone. It read, "From one Aussie to What love. These complicated hot ball and driver. The course in surveys make it quite clear that the the ball longer and straighter are to non-green grass accounts, meaningful discussion of the issue. The PGA Tour is only interested in and spring, ask the people in favor The Society of Australian Flanagan decided more or less on a whim, after watching Tiger Woods win the another. I wish you well tomorrow. Be the first Australian to win the title in venues are the grandest and most question has not even been open desire to get a ten-yard fix isn’t giving considered golf’s voice of reason, apparently should be doing more to If this essay appeared in one of the one charity - itself. When pro golf of rigging devices to offset 350-yard Golf Course Architects is not his name in America - as a golf course architect, Graham has recently completed a widely acclaimed new course at Sutton Bay, 1997 US Masters, that maybe he should give golf a try. 100 years. Play loose and play smart. Sincerely, Greg Norman." responsible for statements unique in the world of sport. Many for a year. golf new customers or keeping many have bought into the USGA’s bring the $16 billion equipment mass-market publications, the becomes as dreadful to watch as pro drives, if they would instead play a or opinions expressed in are so beautiful and fascinating and others around. suggestion that courses are easier industry new blood. magazine’s relationship with several tennis is today (closer than they realize), ball that reverts back to say, on the shores of Lake Ohae in South Dakota. The course features wide fairways, alternate routes to the hole, an out-and-back He was one of the youngsters swept up by the hurricane of popularity Tiger Woods "It was a good wakeup call" Flanagan said. "I'm sure he had no idea who I am. this publication, nor do enduring to their regular customers, Here’s what golf has come to - the to change than the testing. The USGA equipment manufacturers would end, they’ll do something. But by then 1995 distances. such statements necessarily routing, and gnarled, eroded bunkering that are Marsh’s homage to the Scottish roots of our great game. Graham describes created. Before that Flanagan played the odd round between soccer matches on He must have found out." that they can be safely called works 150 or more acres that were And is golf great because, as Curtis is also feeding off of the unfortunately Pandering isn’t working because certain companies have it’ll be too late. express the views of the courses where he could skip paying green fees because money was short. the planning and construction of the course in his own words - accompanied by some splendid images of the course by of art. Most are maintained to a daily painstakingly constructed must be Strange insisted this summer, we can all-too-American belief that everyone As architect Max Behr said in 1927, made it clear that even suggesting a Many will say they would be open Society or it's committees Flanagan had been playing solidly for three months and by the end of standard considered unfathomable modified to make room for equipment consume the same equipment the is entitled to do and buy anything they “The seller of goods generally panders cap on distance is slanderous. A backdoor solution to such an idea as an alternative to unless expressly stated Dick Durrance and Henebry Photography. The second theme is that of the golf ball. To many golfers, improvements in ball and What the well-heeled spectators at Oakmont that day in August did not the Amateur Championship was exhausted both mentally and physically. not too long ago. ‘progress’. Apparently, buying the latest pros use? Don’t beautiful courses, the want. After all, you wouldn’t dare ask to the blind instincts of his customers. The golf course industry can a costly renovation, but then remind realise was that the angular gait and the ever-present sunglasses shielded the Even before the start of the final he did not give himself a chance. "I really didn't equipment gives golfers genuine joy of being outdoors, the camaraderie golfers to give up their ten extra yards, Rarely do we find him an artist The American Society of Golf Course separate itself from this nonsense you how noble they are by pointing club technology, especially in the last three years, are welcome. Yet, these same golfers are probably the first to cry out in horror traditional, somewhat contradictory Australian resolve which combines a loose, think I would be able to beat him today - luckily I think I might have got him on The complicated fine line between happiness and hope via these new and an adventuresome round play even though itís all relative when considering what the result must be Architects continue to voice their and lay the groundwork for a future out that even though they would nothing-to-lose attitude with a steely I-won't-be-beaten approach. a half-off day," he said later. a course that functions as it was consumables. So tees are added, a part too? their playing partners are getting when his goods reach their destination. concerns about the danger of golf that emphasizes the joy of playing golf, cooperate, they can’t envision other Cover: Graham Marsh if their course is planned to be lengthened to compensate for these distance increases. What is to be done about the golf ball? intended versus one that doesn’t fairways narrowed, rough cultivated the same fix. And the blind instinct that he catered courses taking on the distance burden. with equipment a secondary issue. golfers going along with the idea. Golf Design’s new Sutton Flanagan came into the Championship not without credentials, having won the He took a four hole lead into the second 18 holes of the final at the classic measure up, is now muddied by like a crop and trees planted, all to Can’t keep up to was an insane desire to merely Though ASGCA members could profit Bay course in South Dakota, It has appeared as if golf’s governing bodies, the USGA and the R&A, have been unwilling to tackle the equipment manufacturers Tasmanian Open and the Pacific North-West Amateur in the US. He scrambled Pennsylvanian layout of Oakmont Country Club, designed by brothers William constant distance increases. Golf confine distance increases both Technology in the form of new Effects of distance increases hit the ball a long way”. from a wave of courses needing to Golf professionals, superintendents, Nod and say, thanks. USA. This is the 16th, contents over this issue, despite repeated requests from golfing luminaries such as Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson and Gary Player. through the entire tournament, from the moment he squeezed in through and Henry Fownes in 1903. Flanagan admitted to being paralysed by nerves courses feel compelled to adapt to real and perceived. clubs, balls and machines that better Restoration projects are changing change to fit the latest cannon of a architects, administrators, committee a 400 metre par 4. 2 Inside GA 31 The Rise and Fall of Criticism a play-off in stroke play qualifying. over the closing holes, where his grim-faced opponent made up the leeway, changes in the sport while the United fit player launch angles has allowed focus. More and more projects have driver, most have taken the high road. types and even cartboys who want 3 Australian Golf Union Nick Flanagan 36 Cross Cultural Design Recent indications from the R&A are that this may be about to change - we keenly await any developments. Geoff Shackelford forcing the match to all-square at the 36th hole. The Australian managed to hold States Golf Association (and the Why have golf’s governing bodies good players to hit the ball distances not expanded green square footage Except the author of the ASGCA’s to secure golf’s future can reverse This page: Barwon Heads 4 The Classic Course Ball 38 GA Feature Essay Max Behr calls for the establishment of a Classic Course ball, one that is made to 1995 standards, while Michael Wolveridge ponders the While Wittenberg coasted through his first round match 5&3, Flanagan won out long enough to calmly make the first play-off hole in regulation and complete R&A in the rest of the world, Ed.) has shrugged off the apparent silliness of unimaginable just three years ago. or widened fairways because such 1994 report detailing why the the trend of declining rounds and Golf Club’s renowned one 1 up. They both won their quarter-final clashes 1 up but while Flanagan was "the hardest two-putt" green of his life, sinking a one metre putt to win. 7 AGCSA H2O 45 Woodlands Golf Club watched and supported this placing a burden on courses to keep expanded areas of short grass might distance issue needed to be resolved. expanding courses. Or at the very shotter, the 13th, relies not impact of the new equipment and what St Andrews’ old-timers like Laurie Auchterlonie would make of today’s clubs and balls. again stretched to a 1 up win in his semi against Californian David Oh, 8 A Golf Architecture Bookshelf 48 GA Book Review Emerald Gems absurd notion. up instead of the rules they govern? make the course unable to least, start spreading the word. on bunkers for its defence, Wittenberg waltzed into the final 5&4. Now the teenager from Belmont Golf Club has invitations to the 2004 US 10 Classic Holes Narooma #3 51 Bernhard von Limburger Because it costs them less. ‘defend itself’. but on its small green GA7 features an article about Germany’s best known architect, Dr. Bernhard von Limburger, and his impact on course design in Masters - where he gets to stay in the clubhouse - along with the British and surrounded by humps and 12 Sutton Bay 56 Mackenzie, Russell and Morcom Europe, while American author Daniel Wexler selects his ten essential golf architecture books. Our GA Feature Essay sees Wittenberg has had a retinue of supporters his whole life, but Flanagan US Opens. But don't expect him to be rushing out to turn pro any time soon. hollows, and of course, 18 Walter J Travis Great Australian Golf Course Architect 62 Bunkered! received perhaps the crucial boost he needed after his semi-final win and "I'm just not that good a player yet," he said. the ever-present wind. 23 Down Memory Lane 66 Dan Soutar Great Australian Golf Course Architect author Geoff Shackelford examine the writings and designs of little known US architect Max Behr, a most intriguing character. before his attempt to become the first Australian born player since Walter J Travis in 1903 to win the US Amateur. The Old Man would indeed be proud. Cover photograph by Dick Durrance 26 GA Review Bel-Air 74 GA Review St Enodoc Two course reviews, of the wonderful links course at St Enodoc in Cornwall and the canyon layout at Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Contents page photograph by 28 GA Book Review Hurdzan Fry 78 Members Listing David Scaletti round out our 80 pages. We trust you will enjoy reading this issue. Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford, Editors G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 3 4 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 5

Water management planning for the future A GOLF ARCHITECTURE BOOKSHELF IF THE LITERATURE CLASSIC HOLES OF AUSTRALIAN GOLF Sea and sky mesh as one, as the OF GOLF IS, AS SO MANY HAVE SUGGESTED, THE RICHEST OF ALL morning sun breaks through a sea fog to illuminate Narooma’s third hole in a That’s all you have to do. Plant the Golf associations should have little Company A introduces the Classic “The Case for the Classic Course Ball” High quality golf course turf requires alter management practices; treat improvements can be made. A WMP of sodium, is critical for the long-term THE WORLD’S GAMES, IT OWES A GREAT DEAL OF THIS STANDING TO ITS Left: George Thomas Jr’s Below: the “World Atlas THE 3RD HOLE PAR 3/141 METRES golden hue. The green lies beyond the pair idea. Put it out there as an alternative problem with someone taking a step Course Ball and a prestigious club By Geoff Shackelford a constant water supply of moderate the water and soils to offset the and more broadly an Environmental sustainability of turfgrass. The classic “Golf Architecture in of Golf” features course INHERENT VARIETY. FOR IN A REPRESENTATIVE GOLFER’S LIBRARY, ONE WILL of bunkers perched on the far side of the chasm to all of the silly ideas suggested to backwards and playing the course in like Pine Valley or Cypress Point start to good quality, without which there detrimental affects of salts, Management Plan (EMP) details how introduction of high salt tolerant FIND NOT JUST GENERAL VOLUMES ON "THE GAME" PER SE, BUT RATHER America” contained a fold aerial views to accompany NAROOMA GOLF CLUB NEW SOUTH WALES Photograph by David Scaletti offset increasing distance. A distance conditions tougher than its current selling it in their shop. Members use Reprinted with permission from ‘Golfdom’ can be no turf (or at the very best a bicarbonates and nutrients; introduce resources are managed in a grasses is seen as a possible panacea AN ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF ITS COMPONENTS,FROM HISTORY, INSTRUCTION out plan at the back of the the text and photographs rollback will only work by making slope. it in the club championship or magazine, October 2003 issue. Golfdom is very poor quality turf). There are more water efficient and salt tolerant sustainable manner and meet the for dealing with saline water, however, AND TOURNAMENTS TO TRAVEL, BIOGRAPHIES AND, INEVITABLY, ARCHITECTURE book showing an 18 hole golfers think they came up with invitational. Word gets out. a copyrighted publication of Advanstar major pressures on Australia’s water turfgrass species; have a greater increasing demands of Environmental this will only be one part of a total par 3 course the idea. So who will make this ball? Communications Inc. All rights reserved. resources and this will ultimately knowledge of water quality and its and Water Authorities. package involving soil, water Then the ball is used in a tournament, reduce the availability of water for turf. impact on soils and plants; undertake and turf management. And how exactly would such a A very wise company. By being ‘the maybe the local city amateur or a This presents the single greatest threat increased soil, water and plant The deteriorating quality of water Given that golf architecture has been significantly practiced, at one level or The residents of Narooma will restricted ball work within the rules first’, they’ll dominate the initial market college event. Good players jump on to golf courses today. Water resource monitoring; and demonstrate industry supplies, the increasing use of treated The ability to irrigate turf has been But that said, it can be fairly argued that Now we are ready to explore the spate of entries penned over the decades another, for over 120 years, our library clearly requires an all-encompassing of golf? and secure brand recognition (hey, the bandwagon, followed immediately management is a worldwide issue and best practice in irrigation management. effluent and the reliance on poorer essential in providing consistent and architecture has long gotten the short end of the by some of the game's most famous designers. Determining which among these reference book to tie things together, and for this there can only be one suitable tell you that they are truly lucky. sometimes MBAspeak works). by those who think they’re good irrigating golf courses is seen by many quality water requires golf turfgrass high quality playing surfaces, allowing literary stick. For the true uniqueness of golf lies stands the tallest is largely a subjective matter, so I shall simply state that my choice: Geoffrey Cornish & Ron Whitten's The Architects of Golf (HarperCollins, Not only for the quality of life so A local rule If this first company is smart, they’ll players. Suddenly, that ball is going as an unnecessary luxury. Among the As the pressure on water supplies to cope with a range of elements the use of grasses outside their in the diversity of its venues, its endlessly different personal favorite is George C. Thomas, Jr's, Golf Architecture in America: 648pp 1993). Actually a greatly expanded second version of the duo's Courses would invoke a local rule have a patent on the ball, and to become pretty cool at any course - many issues that turf irrigators need increases, golf courses are increasingly such as salts, sodium, nutrients and natural zone of adaptation. With landscapes, hazards and playing strategies. Its Strategy and Construction (Times-Mirror, 342pp, 1927), perhaps the most 1981 ground-breaker The Golf Course, this enormous volume offers chapters on desirable all along the south coast that the ‘Classic Course Ball’ is to be someone like Hootie Johnson at public or private - under 7100 yards. to consider are: lack of a consistent being required to demonstrate bicarbonates. The presence and pressure on available water supplies, In virtually no other game are such differences as visually impressive book in the genre. This is not to diminish from Thomas's text, the evolution of architecture, profiles and credits for every substantial designer in of New South Wales, but also used, while all 8 million other USGA Augusta National might turn to them water supply; potable water no longer industry best practice through concentration of these soluble the provision of acceptable golfing celebrated, and as such, one might guess that which covers everything from "The Strategy of Golf Courses" and "The General history and an alphabetized for the unique golfing experience rules can still apply. when he gets tired of rearranging What does the golf industry have available for irrigating turf; water quality increased water use efficiency and materials, if left unmanaged, will have surfaces will involve very careful water books detailing the design process would be as Plan for the Property" to "Actual Construction" and "Remodeling Old Courses." master list of thousands of Augusta National each summer. to lose by asking golfers to take this (salinity, bicarbonates and sodium); improved environmental management. an adverse effect on soils and turf management planning. Detailed commonplace as the Tiger Woods: My Hero and But Golf Architecture's 150+ illustrations are a remarkable collection of photos, courses worldwide, cross- found at Narooma Golf Club. What about handicaps? As we know, And if theyíre really bright, this minor step backward? The numbers use of treated effluent as an alternative This can only be achieved by having quality. Water treatment strategies knowledge of the site and regular 1001 Ways To Cure Your Slice titles that clog so maps and period scorecards, many of which were contributed by such noted referenced to their various course ratings, slope and handicaps company will work closely with golf are all down, and despite claims that supply; securing alternative water a good working knowledge of all such as acid injection and gypsum monitoring of soils, water and plants many contemporary store shelves. Unfortunately, peers as AW Tillinghast, Donald Ross and Dr. Alister Mackenzie. There is The Course Beautiful is the most purely architectural of the bunch, though designers. Though really are important. Courses have two professionals to establish the ball at technology makes golf more fun, it is supplies; improving control systems; aspects of where the water comes dosing will need to be employed, with will be critical in providing consistent this has seldom been the case. much to study and re-study here, and no architectural Gleanings boasts a number of stories from Tilly's Depression-era travels as a more a textbook than a The original 1930’s layout consisted options. Either re-rate the layout based their courses, with the caveat of only not sustaining play and never will. and upgrading irrigation systems. from, its application and the off-site the use of new turfgrass species, such quality surfaces. However, golfers will collection can possibly be complete without a copy consulting designer for the American PGA. As it happens, the colorful Tillinghast collection of flowing prose, primarily of nine holes with three on such a ball, or, determine that your selling the Classic Course Ball through Fun rounds of golf that don’t take all effects of runoff and drainage. as Seashore Paspalum, considered. need to lower their expectations if Thankfully, most of the architectural volumes of this intriguing standard. was a skilled and amusing writer, making these indispensable collections every The Architect's of Golf additional holes, making for a total of rating and slope was created before green grass accounts which hopefully day will keep people in the sport, In the long term, for golf courses to Developing a Water Management Plan While there are options for utilizing sustainable golf courses are to be which have been written are of genuine quality, bit as entertaining as they are instructive. Period photos and course maps represents an imperative twelve. The three were primarily used the most recent equipment boom still benefits the pro in some way). not a ten-yard fix. be ecologically and economically (WMP) provides the necessary poor quality water, the management provided into the future. demonstrating great resistance to the force- From here we proceed, in no particular order, through (most of which did not accompany the original articles) supplement the text, acquisition for anyone for Sunday competitions, play-off took hold. sustainable, they will have to: make information for demonstrating best of the soil, and in particular the fed obsolescence so often brought on by time. five more works of the Golden Age, though the first, completing a unique and highly rewarding package. interested in the who, what, holes and ladies 12 hole competitions, do with lower quality water sources; practice and identifying where leaching of salts and displacement By John Neylan, AGSCA tech What follows here is a selection of some of Dr. Mackenzie's The Spirit of St Andrews (Sleeping Bear where, when and whys however, interestingly the holes the very best - a group which surely does not Press, 269pp, 1995) would not actually be published Though also not entirely about architecture, our next entry, Charles Blair of golf course design. played in the opposite direction to represent the entirety of great architecture until some 60+ years after its creation. Including most of Macdonald's Scotland's Gift - Golf (Scribners, 340pp 1928) has long enjoyed the present day! books, but without which any collection the essential material already covered in Mackenzie's an icon-like status, especially among American readers. Largely autobiographical, And finally, following nine entries ripe with history, techniques and architectural attempting to cover the subject would be clearly famous 1920 book Golf Architecture, The Spirit of St it represents the ultimate primary source for the early theory, we must surely include one which simply profiles some of the world's In 1952 the holes were re-routed to lacking. As we shall see, it is something of a Andrews was in fact a lost manuscript, the finding of history of golf in the United States, but also captures greatest living examples: Pat Ward-Thomas & Co's The World Atlas of Golf take advantage of the site’s coastal varied bunch, featuring volumes old and new, which must truly be considered one of golf's great our interest with a late chapter detailing both (Mitchell Beazley, 280pp, 1976). Covering over 170 courses in 43 countries, this aspect and additional land purchased broad and specific, technical and general. historical windfalls. Presented with only minimal Macdonald's design philosophies and his building of deluxe volume is particularly noteworthy both for its comprehensiveness and its to the south, bordered by Ballingalla Most importantly, however, they are a pleasant editing, it features sections on the game's history and one of the world's genuine landmark layouts, the colorful graphics, the latter highlighted by some 70 aerial-view paintings of some Road. Much credit is given to the then and entertaining read. technique (Mackenzie's own game having shown National Golf Links of America. An additional chapter of golf's most famous layouts. But, as with any great book, the writing here is truly Committee and ‘Keeper of the Green’, With panoramic views of Montague Subtle mounds on the lip of the dramatic improvement late in life) in addition to architectural chapters on general discussing his work on three other classics, The Lido, the thing - no great surprise with a roster comprised of Ward-Thomas, Herbert Harold Burke, for the picturesque Island and Glasshouse Rocks, the bunkers, likely formed from repeated We begin with a modern effort that provides a wonderful overview of the concepts, construction and classic holes around the world. The Good Doctor's Mid Ocean and Yale, as Warren Wind, Charles Price and Peter Thomson, plus a layout enjoyed today. 3rd was made famous by Australian bunker play, contribute to the green architectural field, Tom Doak's fine primer The Anatomy of a Golf Course (Lyons famous 13 points essential to an ideal course are reprinted here as well, well as his relationship forward by Alistair Cooke. Though not strictly an architectural comedian and actor Paul Hogan in the surface being scarcely visible from the & Burford, 242pp, 1992). A contemporary designer of great repute, Doak takes making this the clear choice among Mackenzie texts. with protégé Seth Raynor, work by any stretch, the thoughtful manner in which these In November 1968 the first task of mid 1970’s, as the site for the filming tee. Adding to the challenge, the green 15 chapters to lead the reader through virtually every aspect of course design is also most worthwhile. talented scribes dissect so many splendid holes makes the then Greenkeeper, Ray Bradley, of a Winfield cigarette commercial, is barely 360 square metres in area - and construction, including routing, aesthetics, psychology of design, style and Next we have an important entry by Mackenzie's frequent partner Mr Robert it more than relevant enough for our purposes. The World was to redesign the existing oiled the ‘ad’ campaign giving Narooma a only 22 metres long and just 12 wide! placement of hazards, and much more. Paying homage to the master architects Hunter, The Links (Scribners, 163pp, 1926). Hunter, as many are aware, was one Our final period entry actually predates all of the Atlas, though far from flawless, remains, nearly 30 years Tuross sand greens and build new much deserved tourism boost! of the Golden Age, Doak blends their ideas and a healthy dose of his own into of golf's more curious characters; an academician and avowed socialist who others, for published in 1920, HS Colt and CH Alison's and five editions later, clearly the best of its kind. grass greens. The occasion was The back third of the putting surface is an instructive yet easy-to-read text, a narrative which is further enhanced married into wealth and lived like a king. Curiously, this volume was apparently Some Essays on Golf Course Architecture (Country marked with the attendance of leading Measuring 141m, the length and stroke relatively flat, with a small mound to the by the detailed hole drawings of another talented designer, Gil Hanse. written before he had ever built a golf course, as his first design work with Life & G Newnes, 69pp) is widely viewed as the very Such then is our sampler, and we must note that as amateur players from Melbourne and index of this par 3 belies its difficulty. rear providing somewhat of a physical Mackenzie took place in 1927- a year after its publication. first volume to deal expressly with the subject of bonafide classics, nearly all remain readily available today, Sydney, with a young Bob Shearer The tee is perched on the cliff edge and and visual backstop to the hole. There If Doak's work introduces us to the theory and practice of architecture, Not surprisingly The Links carries a somewhat scholarly tone in architecture. Most of the essays are penned by Colt a number in reprint form. Inevitably many readers will representing Victoria. Melbourne based the carry across the tempestuous surf is a subtle slope to the balance of the perhaps an additional volume focusing upon its history is in order, and its examination of architecture, placing a heavy emphasis on the and include such titles as "Golf In The Nineties" (by take issue with these choices, finding a personal favorite New Zealander Sloan Morpeth, with in this inlet of the Pacific seems longer green towards the front right. With the You will surely enjoy the challenge Above: looking back here we can select another modern entry, Geoff Shackelford's The importance of greens and the value and placement of hazards. Alison), "The Modern Course - Framework," "The missing. Yet I wonder - when campaigning in favor of advice from Shire Engineer Bill Forbes, than it is in reality. The green is perched natural bail-out side being pin high of the 3rd - just remember to yell ‘fore’ across the chasm Golden Age of Golf Design (Sleeping Bear Press, 211pp, 1999). A Also revered for its many fine period photos and diagrams, Placing Of Bunkers," "Construction," "Financial an omitted title, which of the chosen works might the designed the second nine. However, precariously on the other side of the right, recovery shots are complicated in case ‘Hoges’ is down below - towards the sea superbly illustrated book, The Golden Age is a survey of architecture's The Links is an unquestioned classic, and one that remains Considerations" and "Labour-Saving Machinery And dissenter propose to replace? Have fun pondering with Morpeth’s passing in 1973, John Narooma Golf Club is renowned for Narooma’s original “Gap” hole used Players then re-played the original chasm, above a cliff face complete by the presence of a shallow swale or maybe not! legendary pre-World War II era, but its degree of detail and depth of constantly in demand today. The Cost Of Construction" (by then-partner Dr. Alister that question. It's an enjoyable exercise. Spencer was engaged to design and the spectacular views of the Pacific to play across the water in the 2nd hole as the 11th, and then played with a majestic sea cave. which runs adjacent the right hand side, information greatly exceeds what one generally finds in such an Mackenzie). Why Alison, with one essay contributed, construct the second nine, which from many of its holes, but is perhaps opposite direction, with the tee where the 12th from adjacent the fence of finishing near the front of the green. by Paul Mogford overview. Though obviously geared towards American readers, the Our next entry is a slightly devious choice as it incorporates three gets co-author billing while Mackenzie (with same) By Daniel Wexler opened for play in 1980. best known for its ocean hugging 3rd the current green is, and vice-versa. the ‘Police Paddock’ (near the turn The putting surface is kidney shaped many remarkable profiles, photos, hole drawings and routing maps modern collections of Golden Age articles penned by AW Tillinghast, doesn't is a mystery - and, perhaps, an additional hole, known originally as “The Gap” An article in ‘Golf in Australia’ from point of the existing 2nd hole) back and skewed to the left from the line So the next time you are planning a Special thanks to John Burbidge will more than hold the attention of a worldwide audience. The Course Beautiful, Reminiscences of The Links and Gleanings piece of evidence to suggest that the Good Doctor's and more recently as “The Chasm Hole” September 1947 describes this hole, to the original 4th green near the of play. Two small pot bunkers at the road trip along the New South Wales and Ken Hardingham of Narooma From The Wayside (Treewolf Productions, 1995, 1998 and 2001). - perhaps a throwback to the original which was then the 10th, as playing Clubhouse (the original 4th Green front left guard the majority of the south coast, be sure to factor in a stay GC for their kind assistance in relationship with his partners was not always amicable. the preparation of this article. Chasm hole at Biarritz in France south to north. was located in the vicinity of the green, particularly when played at Narooma and enjoy the hospitality (see Biarritz hole article in GA6). present day 1st tees). from the blue markers. and fine coastal golfing experience. Above: the splendid Inset, above: a page CB Macdonald’s plan for a Daniel Wexler is the author and illustrator of The Missing Links: America's embossed cover of “Golf from Robert Hunter’s nine hole practice course Greatest Lost Golf Courses and Holes, and Lost Links: Forgotten Treasures of Golf's Golden Age. His next book, The Golfer's Library: A Reader's Architecture in America” book “The Links” on the from “Scotland’s Gift - Golf” Guide To Three Centuries of Golf Literature, will be published in 2004. Purpose of Hazards 8 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E Daniel is based at the Riviera Golf Club in Los Angeles, USA. 10 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 11

The opening hole at Sutton Bay is a spectacular downhill Inset: Detail of green Below: late afternoonn sun Below: view from the members Inset: a large central bunker The 17th green is set The downhill 13th hole is a long par 5 of 600 metres from the tips. The expanses of Lake and bunkering on the highlights the dramatic setting tee at the 11th, a par 5 of 510m. defines the tee shot landing against a hillside with a par 3 played down a valley with Ohae forms a delightful backdrop behind the green 390m par 4 6th hole of the 16th hole. The green is Wide landing areas on an open, area on the 480m par 5 15th. ridge that intrudes across the premium on accuracy exposed to the winds off Lake windswept course like Sutton The fairway splits around the front of this par 3 Ohae and the design team Bay give golfers some leeway, this bunker, with the higher green leaving right side were concerned it was too allowing alternative routes left side continuing on as pins positions semi-blind exposed until Graham Marsh of play to reach the green the main fairway, while the insisted it was the right green right is truncated location - and here it was built

From the first time I visited Sutton Bay I knew there was a special golf course In almost twenty years of golf design, I can never recall spending so much time As a true St. Andrews lover, I have always enjoyed the trek to the end of the course Along with David Ireland and Mark Amundson, I spent many days criss-crossing There was always the temptation to find green locations that were protected and Being a members course, the opportunity arose to add the element of a blind tee The elevation change from the flat land above to the boundary defined by the Initial reaction on many holes may be that I have been overly generous with the RENOWNED AUSTRALIAN GOLFER AND COURSE ARCHITECT GRAHAM hidden amongst the dramatic landforms of the Missouri Breaks. The site was and effort on finding a routing for the course to comply with this brief. Early and the journey home with the beauty of the city forming a backdrop on almost the site on four-track vehicles to find 18 of the most natural and contiguous holes had natural backdrops to support them and it was only after reviewing how many shot and the occasional blind second shot on the par fives. Blind shots have Corp of Engineers was considerable. This became a major factor if I was to meet fairway widths. Some are indeed spacious - nevertheless it is somewhat of an MARSH HAD A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE TO DESIGN AND BUILD A rugged, yet at the same time magnificently beautiful. The soft and subtle shapes topographical plans were utilized to produce several layouts. Each of these layouts every hole. It is unique to say the least and reproduced only on rare occasions. the site had to offer. The early planning had not been in vain as at least the opening of those I had selected plus a little prompting from others that I finally decided to historically played an important part in golf architecture and I believe deserve to be the design brief of having a course that could be walked. The site was layered illusion, as within the confines of the fairway line exists a variety of difficulty. The UNIQUE GOLF COURSE IN WONDERFUL NATURAL TERRAIN AT SUTTON BAY of the land spread for mile upon mile along Lake Ohae and the ever-changing had their fair share of positives and negatives and if nothing else, these early holes and the finishing hole had been identified. Locating and piecing the rest of site some of the greens in unprotected locations. preserved as the game continues to expand. In the context of residential resort and with benches of usable land. Depending on the location often I had four benches fairway shapes are designed to either reward or punish accurate or inaccurate lines views were breathtaking. Sutton Ranch was a golf course waiting to happen routing plans clearly identified the site constraints. The main constraint was the Certainly I knew that there would be times given a southwesterly wind the holes on the puzzle together was far more challenging as much of the survey at the northern The 3rd, 11th and the 16th are now some of my favorite greensites and certainly daily fee golf they are considered taboo. It is therefore logical that as most of the to choose from, and in others only two. Altering direction of the holes created a of attack. Poorly chosen lines of attack can result in semi or totally blind approach IN SOUTH DAKOTA, USA. THE COURSE OPENED FOR PLAY IN JULY 2003 AND and I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to explore every possibility. land formation in the area of the site where I wanted to change directions with the the outward nine would play short and relatively straightforward whilst the holes on end of the site was somewhat sketchy at best. offer classic unrestricted views of the site and Lake Ohae. design work in the world today is predominately resort and daily fee courses, blind problem, as every time I varied the direction of the hole I had to leave the platform shots or sometimes the penalty may be a much more challenging side-hill lie. HERE HE TELLS GA READERS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSE nines. Here the land narrowed considerably and offered the least natural holes. the inward nine would become desperately challenging. Naturally when the wind holes have almost become redundant. When the target is not visible the golfer I was traversing at the time and move to another. Whilst this did not create a AT SUTTON BAY, A TRUE LABOUR OF LOVE FOR HIM AND HIS TEAM The brief for the golf course design was simple. The course should be playable came from the north the reverse would apply. I pondered about this on many Dozens of green sites and even more potential tee sites presented themselves at Finding tee positions was the least of my concerns as every portion of the property must focus and concentrate that little extra to visualize the shot he or she intends problem for that particular golf hole it lead to a problem for the next. I was It was my ambition to fit the course to the land and thus make it appear from yet challenging. It was to be a walking course and if possible meet the This conflicted with my initial objective of changing the direction of each of the occasions then thought to myself, so what, isn’t this an experience in itself? This every turn of the corner. By a long process of elimination I finally agreed on a layout had various knolls at different intervals to accommodate the requirements of line to execute. There is also the wonderful air of anticipation and excitement as the continually fighting the difficulty of taking up the elevation change form the day one that it had existed for hundreds of years. Months spent on site during all conventional configuration of a par 72. The earthworks were to be kept to a nines to test the golfers with varying wind directions throughout the round. Given was truly an opportunity to take a step back in time and enjoy some of the which I felt met the design brief. I still look at the site today and see holes that and distance. Initially nearly all of the tee placements were chosen to enhance player traverses the offending ridge or hillock to examine whether or not the chosen previous hole. It also was an issue with earthworks and keeping the site as natural the seasons gave me a true appreciation of the varying conditions confronting minimum and every effort was to be taken to ensure that the natural landscape the lay of the land and the narrowing of the site at these two critical points, this traditions of the game. could have made it into the layout but were rejected for one reason or another. As views but finally I decided to tuck some away behind mounds to offer variety and line and strength of shot have been successful. as possible. Once I moved form one platform to another I would be forced into the golfers. It was from this knowledge that it became apparent very early on that outside the works area of the course was preserved at all costs. became a problem. Whilst it was achievable, it didn’t offer the most natural golf always on a site of this nature par threes were in abundance. Finding the par fives protection from the wind. It was the old adage that sometimes less is more. considerable cuts and fills to keep the hole looking natural. Eventually I gave all for the course to be playable the fairways needed to be generous and the holes or the easiest of walks. Eventually I decided to abandon this approach and and the long fours dictated the bigger picture and it was somewhat ironic that I thought of moving from platform to platform away and concentrated on finding greens not overly contoured. concentrate on one 18-hole loop. I quickly became excited with this concept, as would finally settle upon a combination of three par 5’s, three par 4’s and three par holes that varied just enough in direction to be interesting and challenging historically, out and back courses have had a significant impact on the game itself. 3’s making up the outward nine holes. when the final strategies were introduced. 12 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 14 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 15 A skyline green at Graham Marsh’s new American course at In the Footsteps of The Old Man: Nick Flanagan’s 2003 US Amateur Triumph Casey Wittenberg came to the Sutton Bay US Amateur Championship of 2003 with a patrician background, a lifetime's grooming to become a golf star and the requisite designer golfing attire Nick Flanagan brought along five years experience in the game, rumpled khaki shorts and a cheeky grin. He was the player most unlikely, faced with a phalanx of the world's best amateurs. As the Australian gulped and gazed at the thousands of spectators lining the hallowed fairways Featherie, c.1850 Gutta percha ball Rubber cored ball Longa-Life ball from Early US size ball Slazenger B51 ball Slazenger B51 Fire Titleist Acushnet K Lynx Jumbo ball Titleist Pro V1, 2003 Published by the with moulded pattern, with mesh pattern, England, c.1935 (1.68 inch) Spalding used by Bobby Locke Ball used by Gary Player ball, 1972 1.8 inches in Society of Australian c.1900 c.1920 Tournament, c.1940 in Australia, c.1950 in Australia, 1965 diameter, c.1985 Golf Course Architects of opulent Oakmont he may have thought he was in for a beating... so did the fans... and so did Wittenberg... ABN 40 913 055 171 Golf Australia House 153-155 Cecil Street South Melbourne Victoria 3205 Australia

ISSN 1446-1943 Golf’s greatest asset? The politically Meanwhile, the USGA’s incomplete Don’t they mind that they’ve had a The USGA is unable to test refined Renovation projects or new courses Yes, every golfer loves the distance That architect happens to be visiting How do we take golf back from the correct, feel-good answer is obvious - testing procedures have made the hand in changing golf’s Wrigley Fields? launch angle conditions tailored to are looking for distance and other ways boost they get. But distance fixes some of America’s greatest courses as manufacturers? Look to Softspikes. Editors Neil Crafter Twin themes run through our magazine this year. The first is Australians in America. The wonderful achievement of young the people. Without those devoted golfer’s equipment become nearly as Not only have we torn down the ivy- individual swings, which is how the to rig courses so that they produce a have not been enough, as every you read this, working with the USGA and Paul Mogford Nick Flanagan explodes hackers in their sweat-stained bucket important as his skill. covered brick walls at many of our manufacturers have circumvented the certain course rating or back tee study suggests that golf is losing to oversee design modifications to The golf course industry single- PO Box 196 Nick Flanagan in winning the US Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in 2003 came precisely 100 years after an Australian born from one of Oakmont's caps whizzing around in GPS guided classics, but now we’re buying the real USGA’s testing limits (and will continue yardage, instead of focusing on ways customers because of the excessive accommodate the distance problem handedly campaigned for and Brooklyn Park SA 5032 bunkers on his way to the golfer last won this prized trophy - when ‘The Old Man’, Walter J Travis, captured the last of his three US Amateur carts, there would be no golf. Right? Thus, many lovingly built and estate in the neighborhoods beyond to, even under the new USGA to make the design more fun. time it takes to play, the high cost he led the charge against. implemented the ban on metal spikes Australia 2003 US Amateur crown maintained courses - most serving center field to expand our playing testing guidelines). of rounds, expensive equipment to improve turf conditions. Over [email protected] Well, without golf courses, there would the sport admirably for decades - are fields. All to prevent a frivolous lawsuit Already an expensive endeavour, and the difficulty of the sport. The USGA Green Section will continue 12,000 courses now ban metal spikes, www.sagca.org.au Championships in 1903. At the time of his win, Travis was 41 years old, a remarkable feat considering he did not take up the be no place for those people to play. purportedly letting us down because from a few manufacturers. Distance increases have empowered architecture has been chosen to bear These insidious elements are all tied to on and the US Open will remain one and all because it started on (big pun game until he was 35. Travis’ first win at Garden City GC in 1900, came only 4 years after he hit his first ball - and Nick Flanagan Contributing photographers Courses are golf’s greatest asset. they can’t withstand an assault from many average golfers to think they are the expense of this ever-changing the rubber band effect on golf courses, of the four majors, but the USGA’s warning here), a grass roots level. Laurence C Lambrecht had only been playing for 5 years when he won in 2003. Travis had already dabbled in golf course design and after his retirement today’s equipment. But it’s not just Even more disturbing is the notion longer and better than they really are. game. The equipment manufacturers, where designs have stretched and once respected place in the sport has John and Jeanine Henebry And how are the governing bodies old courses that can’t keep up. that the ‘legal guardians’ of golf have Courses are then expected to ensure who believe it is their birthright to sell narrowed to combat distance. been undermined not only by its The same can happen with the golf ball. Dick Durrance from competitive golf, threw himself full-time into this new vocation and made a most successful career. We examine his life, and the golfers showing their love for bought into the marketing spin that the integrity of slope so that handicaps the latest ball and driver, contribute complacency, but largely thanks to Introducing, the Classic Course Ball. David Scaletti golf’s architecture? By suggesting that One layout hosting a PGA Tour event equipment advances have made this ‘travel well’ and so the layout remains only complaints that the industry is Only a handful of people in the golf Executive Director David Fay’s his achievements and his designs in our Great Australian Golf Course Architects series, along with those of Carnoustie immigrant, The American was the son of a touring pro and a Walker Cup player. Flanagan's Travis, known as ‘The Old Man’, won his first US Amateur in 1900, and again courses are easier to alter than the in the fall of 2003 was lengthened hard game more accessible and ‘respectable’. not bringing new customers to golf. industry see the expansion of courses arrogance in shrugging off repeated Here’s how it could work. Every time Design Jorgensen Design father was a Newcastle coal miner and his mother a supermarket checkout clerk. in 1901. He is perhaps best known for his British amateur win in 1904 at Dan Soutar, the architect of Kingston Heath. Graham Marsh is one of Australia’s favourite golfers, with a successful world-wide equipment rules. (at its own expense) to add yardage in popular for the masses. Unfortunately, The club pro, whose living they’ve as a good thing. In a survival move, pleas from folks like Jack Nicklaus. the topic of adding new bunkers or Printing Five Star Press Sandwich. It came in the form of a card from Greg Norman, who had been trying a mad race to keep up with this year’s the various economic indicators and Because better players who drive undercut by shifting pro shop business the golf magazines have avoided planting trees comes up this fall, winter playing career that now continues on the Senior Tour in the United States. But it is not just with his clubs that Marsh has made While Wittenberg's parents were mesmerising him with the golf swing as a toddler, for some time to reach the 19-year-old by phone. It read, "From one Aussie to What love. These complicated hot ball and driver. The course in surveys make it quite clear that the the ball longer and straighter are to non-green grass accounts, meaningful discussion of the issue. The PGA Tour is only interested in and spring, ask the people in favor The Society of Australian Flanagan decided more or less on a whim, after watching Tiger Woods win the another. I wish you well tomorrow. Be the first Australian to win the title in venues are the grandest and most question has not even been open desire to get a ten-yard fix isn’t giving considered golf’s voice of reason, apparently should be doing more to If this essay appeared in one of the one charity - itself. When pro golf of rigging devices to offset 350-yard Golf Course Architects is not his name in America - as a golf course architect, Graham has recently completed a widely acclaimed new course at Sutton Bay, 1997 US Masters, that maybe he should give golf a try. 100 years. Play loose and play smart. Sincerely, Greg Norman." responsible for statements unique in the world of sport. Many for a year. golf new customers or keeping many have bought into the USGA’s bring the $16 billion equipment mass-market publications, the becomes as dreadful to watch as pro drives, if they would instead play a or opinions expressed in are so beautiful and fascinating and others around. suggestion that courses are easier industry new blood. magazine’s relationship with several tennis is today (closer than they realize), ball that reverts back to say, on the shores of Lake Ohae in South Dakota. The course features wide fairways, alternate routes to the hole, an out-and-back He was one of the youngsters swept up by the hurricane of popularity Tiger Woods "It was a good wakeup call" Flanagan said. "I'm sure he had no idea who I am. this publication, nor do enduring to their regular customers, Here’s what golf has come to - the to change than the testing. The USGA equipment manufacturers would end, they’ll do something. But by then 1995 distances. such statements necessarily routing, and gnarled, eroded bunkering that are Marsh’s homage to the Scottish roots of our great game. Graham describes created. Before that Flanagan played the odd round between soccer matches on He must have found out." that they can be safely called works 150 or more acres that were And is golf great because, as Curtis is also feeding off of the unfortunately Pandering isn’t working because certain companies have it’ll be too late. express the views of the courses where he could skip paying green fees because money was short. the planning and construction of the course in his own words - accompanied by some splendid images of the course by of art. Most are maintained to a daily painstakingly constructed must be Strange insisted this summer, we can all-too-American belief that everyone As architect Max Behr said in 1927, made it clear that even suggesting a Many will say they would be open Society or it's committees Flanagan had been playing solidly for three months and by the end of standard considered unfathomable modified to make room for equipment consume the same equipment the is entitled to do and buy anything they “The seller of goods generally panders cap on distance is slanderous. A backdoor solution to such an idea as an alternative to unless expressly stated Dick Durrance and Henebry Photography. The second theme is that of the golf ball. To many golfers, improvements in ball and What the well-heeled spectators at Oakmont that day in August did not the Amateur Championship was exhausted both mentally and physically. not too long ago. ‘progress’. Apparently, buying the latest pros use? Don’t beautiful courses, the want. After all, you wouldn’t dare ask to the blind instincts of his customers. The golf course industry can a costly renovation, but then remind realise was that the angular gait and the ever-present sunglasses shielded the Even before the start of the final he did not give himself a chance. "I really didn't equipment gives golfers genuine joy of being outdoors, the camaraderie golfers to give up their ten extra yards, Rarely do we find him an artist The American Society of Golf Course separate itself from this nonsense you how noble they are by pointing club technology, especially in the last three years, are welcome. Yet, these same golfers are probably the first to cry out in horror traditional, somewhat contradictory Australian resolve which combines a loose, think I would be able to beat him today - luckily I think I might have got him on The complicated fine line between happiness and hope via these new and an adventuresome round play even though itís all relative when considering what the result must be Architects continue to voice their and lay the groundwork for a future out that even though they would nothing-to-lose attitude with a steely I-won't-be-beaten approach. a half-off day," he said later. a course that functions as it was consumables. So tees are added, a part too? their playing partners are getting when his goods reach their destination. concerns about the danger of golf that emphasizes the joy of playing golf, cooperate, they can’t envision other Cover: Graham Marsh if their course is planned to be lengthened to compensate for these distance increases. What is to be done about the golf ball? intended versus one that doesn’t fairways narrowed, rough cultivated the same fix. And the blind instinct that he catered courses taking on the distance burden. with equipment a secondary issue. golfers going along with the idea. Golf Design’s new Sutton Flanagan came into the Championship not without credentials, having won the He took a four hole lead into the second 18 holes of the final at the classic measure up, is now muddied by like a crop and trees planted, all to Can’t keep up to was an insane desire to merely Though ASGCA members could profit Bay course in South Dakota, It has appeared as if golf’s governing bodies, the USGA and the R&A, have been unwilling to tackle the equipment manufacturers Tasmanian Open and the Pacific North-West Amateur in the US. He scrambled Pennsylvanian layout of Oakmont Country Club, designed by brothers William constant distance increases. Golf confine distance increases both Technology in the form of new Effects of distance increases hit the ball a long way”. from a wave of courses needing to Golf professionals, superintendents, Nod and say, thanks. USA. This is the 16th, contents over this issue, despite repeated requests from golfing luminaries such as Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson and Gary Player. through the entire tournament, from the moment he squeezed in through and Henry Fownes in 1903. Flanagan admitted to being paralysed by nerves courses feel compelled to adapt to real and perceived. clubs, balls and machines that better Restoration projects are changing change to fit the latest cannon of a architects, administrators, committee a 400 metre par 4. 2 Inside GA 31 The Rise and Fall of Criticism a play-off in stroke play qualifying. over the closing holes, where his grim-faced opponent made up the leeway, changes in the sport while the United fit player launch angles has allowed focus. More and more projects have driver, most have taken the high road. types and even cartboys who want 3 Australian Golf Union Nick Flanagan 36 Cross Cultural Design Recent indications from the R&A are that this may be about to change - we keenly await any developments. Geoff Shackelford forcing the match to all-square at the 36th hole. The Australian managed to hold States Golf Association (and the Why have golf’s governing bodies good players to hit the ball distances not expanded green square footage Except the author of the ASGCA’s to secure golf’s future can reverse This page: Barwon Heads 4 The Classic Course Ball 38 GA Feature Essay Max Behr calls for the establishment of a Classic Course ball, one that is made to 1995 standards, while Michael Wolveridge ponders the While Wittenberg coasted through his first round match 5&3, Flanagan won out long enough to calmly make the first play-off hole in regulation and complete R&A in the rest of the world, Ed.) has shrugged off the apparent silliness of unimaginable just three years ago. or widened fairways because such 1994 report detailing why the the trend of declining rounds and Golf Club’s renowned one 1 up. They both won their quarter-final clashes 1 up but while Flanagan was "the hardest two-putt" green of his life, sinking a one metre putt to win. 7 AGCSA H2O 45 Woodlands Golf Club watched and supported this placing a burden on courses to keep expanded areas of short grass might distance issue needed to be resolved. expanding courses. Or at the very shotter, the 13th, relies not impact of the new equipment and what St Andrews’ old-timers like Laurie Auchterlonie would make of today’s clubs and balls. again stretched to a 1 up win in his semi against Californian David Oh, 8 A Golf Architecture Bookshelf 48 GA Book Review Emerald Gems absurd notion. up instead of the rules they govern? make the course unable to least, start spreading the word. on bunkers for its defence, Wittenberg waltzed into the final 5&4. Now the teenager from Belmont Golf Club has invitations to the 2004 US 10 Classic Holes Narooma #3 51 Bernhard von Limburger Because it costs them less. ‘defend itself’. but on its small green GA7 features an article about Germany’s best known architect, Dr. Bernhard von Limburger, and his impact on course design in Masters - where he gets to stay in the clubhouse - along with the British and surrounded by humps and 12 Sutton Bay 56 Mackenzie, Russell and Morcom Europe, while American author Daniel Wexler selects his ten essential golf architecture books. Our GA Feature Essay sees Wittenberg has had a retinue of supporters his whole life, but Flanagan US Opens. But don't expect him to be rushing out to turn pro any time soon. hollows, and of course, 18 Walter J Travis Great Australian Golf Course Architect 62 Bunkered! received perhaps the crucial boost he needed after his semi-final win and "I'm just not that good a player yet," he said. the ever-present wind. 23 Down Memory Lane 66 Dan Soutar Great Australian Golf Course Architect author Geoff Shackelford examine the writings and designs of little known US architect Max Behr, a most intriguing character. before his attempt to become the first Australian born player since Walter J Travis in 1903 to win the US Amateur. The Old Man would indeed be proud. Cover photograph by Dick Durrance 26 GA Review Bel-Air 74 GA Review St Enodoc Two course reviews, of the wonderful links course at St Enodoc in Cornwall and the canyon layout at Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Contents page photograph by 28 GA Book Review Hurdzan Fry 78 Members Listing David Scaletti round out our 80 pages. We trust you will enjoy reading this issue. Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford, Editors G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 3 4 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 5

Water management planning for the future A GOLF ARCHITECTURE BOOKSHELF IF THE LITERATURE CLASSIC HOLES OF AUSTRALIAN GOLF Sea and sky mesh as one, as the OF GOLF IS, AS SO MANY HAVE SUGGESTED, THE RICHEST OF ALL morning sun breaks through a sea fog to illuminate Narooma’s third hole in a That’s all you have to do. Plant the Golf associations should have little Company A introduces the Classic “The Case for the Classic Course Ball” High quality golf course turf requires alter management practices; treat improvements can be made. A WMP of sodium, is critical for the long-term THE WORLD’S GAMES, IT OWES A GREAT DEAL OF THIS STANDING TO ITS Left: George Thomas Jr’s Below: the “World Atlas THE 3RD HOLE PAR 3/141 METRES golden hue. The green lies beyond the pair idea. Put it out there as an alternative problem with someone taking a step Course Ball and a prestigious club By Geoff Shackelford a constant water supply of moderate the water and soils to offset the and more broadly an Environmental sustainability of turfgrass. The classic “Golf Architecture in of Golf” features course INHERENT VARIETY. FOR IN A REPRESENTATIVE GOLFER’S LIBRARY, ONE WILL of bunkers perched on the far side of the chasm to all of the silly ideas suggested to backwards and playing the course in like Pine Valley or Cypress Point start to good quality, without which there detrimental affects of salts, Management Plan (EMP) details how introduction of high salt tolerant FIND NOT JUST GENERAL VOLUMES ON "THE GAME" PER SE, BUT RATHER America” contained a fold aerial views to accompany NAROOMA GOLF CLUB NEW SOUTH WALES Photograph by David Scaletti offset increasing distance. A distance conditions tougher than its current selling it in their shop. Members use Reprinted with permission from ‘Golfdom’ can be no turf (or at the very best a bicarbonates and nutrients; introduce resources are managed in a grasses is seen as a possible panacea AN ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF ITS COMPONENTS,FROM HISTORY, INSTRUCTION out plan at the back of the the text and photographs rollback will only work by making slope. it in the club championship or magazine, October 2003 issue. Golfdom is very poor quality turf). There are more water efficient and salt tolerant sustainable manner and meet the for dealing with saline water, however, AND TOURNAMENTS TO TRAVEL, BIOGRAPHIES AND, INEVITABLY, ARCHITECTURE book showing an 18 hole golfers think they came up with invitational. Word gets out. a copyrighted publication of Advanstar major pressures on Australia’s water turfgrass species; have a greater increasing demands of Environmental this will only be one part of a total par 3 course the idea. So who will make this ball? Communications Inc. All rights reserved. resources and this will ultimately knowledge of water quality and its and Water Authorities. package involving soil, water Then the ball is used in a tournament, reduce the availability of water for turf. impact on soils and plants; undertake and turf management. And how exactly would such a A very wise company. By being ‘the maybe the local city amateur or a This presents the single greatest threat increased soil, water and plant The deteriorating quality of water Given that golf architecture has been significantly practiced, at one level or The residents of Narooma will restricted ball work within the rules first’, they’ll dominate the initial market college event. Good players jump on to golf courses today. Water resource monitoring; and demonstrate industry supplies, the increasing use of treated The ability to irrigate turf has been But that said, it can be fairly argued that Now we are ready to explore the spate of entries penned over the decades another, for over 120 years, our library clearly requires an all-encompassing of golf? and secure brand recognition (hey, the bandwagon, followed immediately management is a worldwide issue and best practice in irrigation management. effluent and the reliance on poorer essential in providing consistent and architecture has long gotten the short end of the by some of the game's most famous designers. Determining which among these reference book to tie things together, and for this there can only be one suitable tell you that they are truly lucky. sometimes MBAspeak works). by those who think they’re good irrigating golf courses is seen by many quality water requires golf turfgrass high quality playing surfaces, allowing literary stick. For the true uniqueness of golf lies stands the tallest is largely a subjective matter, so I shall simply state that my choice: Geoffrey Cornish & Ron Whitten's The Architects of Golf (HarperCollins, Not only for the quality of life so A local rule If this first company is smart, they’ll players. Suddenly, that ball is going as an unnecessary luxury. Among the As the pressure on water supplies to cope with a range of elements the use of grasses outside their in the diversity of its venues, its endlessly different personal favorite is George C. Thomas, Jr's, Golf Architecture in America: 648pp 1993). Actually a greatly expanded second version of the duo's Courses would invoke a local rule have a patent on the ball, and to become pretty cool at any course - many issues that turf irrigators need increases, golf courses are increasingly such as salts, sodium, nutrients and natural zone of adaptation. With landscapes, hazards and playing strategies. Its Strategy and Construction (Times-Mirror, 342pp, 1927), perhaps the most 1981 ground-breaker The Golf Course, this enormous volume offers chapters on desirable all along the south coast that the ‘Classic Course Ball’ is to be someone like Hootie Johnson at public or private - under 7100 yards. to consider are: lack of a consistent being required to demonstrate bicarbonates. The presence and pressure on available water supplies, In virtually no other game are such differences as visually impressive book in the genre. This is not to diminish from Thomas's text, the evolution of architecture, profiles and credits for every substantial designer in of New South Wales, but also used, while all 8 million other USGA Augusta National might turn to them water supply; potable water no longer industry best practice through concentration of these soluble the provision of acceptable golfing celebrated, and as such, one might guess that which covers everything from "The Strategy of Golf Courses" and "The General history and an alphabetized for the unique golfing experience rules can still apply. when he gets tired of rearranging What does the golf industry have available for irrigating turf; water quality increased water use efficiency and materials, if left unmanaged, will have surfaces will involve very careful water books detailing the design process would be as Plan for the Property" to "Actual Construction" and "Remodeling Old Courses." master list of thousands of Augusta National each summer. to lose by asking golfers to take this (salinity, bicarbonates and sodium); improved environmental management. an adverse effect on soils and turf management planning. Detailed commonplace as the Tiger Woods: My Hero and But Golf Architecture's 150+ illustrations are a remarkable collection of photos, courses worldwide, cross- found at Narooma Golf Club. What about handicaps? As we know, And if theyíre really bright, this minor step backward? The numbers use of treated effluent as an alternative This can only be achieved by having quality. Water treatment strategies knowledge of the site and regular 1001 Ways To Cure Your Slice titles that clog so maps and period scorecards, many of which were contributed by such noted referenced to their various course ratings, slope and handicaps company will work closely with golf are all down, and despite claims that supply; securing alternative water a good working knowledge of all such as acid injection and gypsum monitoring of soils, water and plants many contemporary store shelves. Unfortunately, peers as AW Tillinghast, Donald Ross and Dr. Alister Mackenzie. There is The Course Beautiful is the most purely architectural of the bunch, though designers. Though really are important. Courses have two professionals to establish the ball at technology makes golf more fun, it is supplies; improving control systems; aspects of where the water comes dosing will need to be employed, with will be critical in providing consistent this has seldom been the case. much to study and re-study here, and no architectural Gleanings boasts a number of stories from Tilly's Depression-era travels as a more a textbook than a The original 1930’s layout consisted options. Either re-rate the layout based their courses, with the caveat of only not sustaining play and never will. and upgrading irrigation systems. from, its application and the off-site the use of new turfgrass species, such quality surfaces. However, golfers will collection can possibly be complete without a copy consulting designer for the American PGA. As it happens, the colorful Tillinghast collection of flowing prose, primarily of nine holes with three on such a ball, or, determine that your selling the Classic Course Ball through Fun rounds of golf that don’t take all effects of runoff and drainage. as Seashore Paspalum, considered. need to lower their expectations if Thankfully, most of the architectural volumes of this intriguing standard. was a skilled and amusing writer, making these indispensable collections every The Architect's of Golf additional holes, making for a total of rating and slope was created before green grass accounts which hopefully day will keep people in the sport, In the long term, for golf courses to Developing a Water Management Plan While there are options for utilizing sustainable golf courses are to be which have been written are of genuine quality, bit as entertaining as they are instructive. Period photos and course maps represents an imperative twelve. The three were primarily used the most recent equipment boom still benefits the pro in some way). not a ten-yard fix. be ecologically and economically (WMP) provides the necessary poor quality water, the management provided into the future. demonstrating great resistance to the force- From here we proceed, in no particular order, through (most of which did not accompany the original articles) supplement the text, acquisition for anyone for Sunday competitions, play-off took hold. sustainable, they will have to: make information for demonstrating best of the soil, and in particular the fed obsolescence so often brought on by time. five more works of the Golden Age, though the first, completing a unique and highly rewarding package. interested in the who, what, holes and ladies 12 hole competitions, do with lower quality water sources; practice and identifying where leaching of salts and displacement By John Neylan, AGSCA tech What follows here is a selection of some of Dr. Mackenzie's The Spirit of St Andrews (Sleeping Bear where, when and whys however, interestingly the holes the very best - a group which surely does not Press, 269pp, 1995) would not actually be published Though also not entirely about architecture, our next entry, Charles Blair of golf course design. played in the opposite direction to represent the entirety of great architecture until some 60+ years after its creation. Including most of Macdonald's Scotland's Gift - Golf (Scribners, 340pp 1928) has long enjoyed the present day! books, but without which any collection the essential material already covered in Mackenzie's an icon-like status, especially among American readers. Largely autobiographical, And finally, following nine entries ripe with history, techniques and architectural attempting to cover the subject would be clearly famous 1920 book Golf Architecture, The Spirit of St it represents the ultimate primary source for the early theory, we must surely include one which simply profiles some of the world's In 1952 the holes were re-routed to lacking. As we shall see, it is something of a Andrews was in fact a lost manuscript, the finding of history of golf in the United States, but also captures greatest living examples: Pat Ward-Thomas & Co's The World Atlas of Golf take advantage of the site’s coastal varied bunch, featuring volumes old and new, which must truly be considered one of golf's great our interest with a late chapter detailing both (Mitchell Beazley, 280pp, 1976). Covering over 170 courses in 43 countries, this aspect and additional land purchased broad and specific, technical and general. historical windfalls. Presented with only minimal Macdonald's design philosophies and his building of deluxe volume is particularly noteworthy both for its comprehensiveness and its to the south, bordered by Ballingalla Most importantly, however, they are a pleasant editing, it features sections on the game's history and one of the world's genuine landmark layouts, the colorful graphics, the latter highlighted by some 70 aerial-view paintings of some Road. Much credit is given to the then and entertaining read. technique (Mackenzie's own game having shown National Golf Links of America. An additional chapter of golf's most famous layouts. But, as with any great book, the writing here is truly Committee and ‘Keeper of the Green’, With panoramic views of Montague Subtle mounds on the lip of the dramatic improvement late in life) in addition to architectural chapters on general discussing his work on three other classics, The Lido, the thing - no great surprise with a roster comprised of Ward-Thomas, Herbert Harold Burke, for the picturesque Island and Glasshouse Rocks, the bunkers, likely formed from repeated We begin with a modern effort that provides a wonderful overview of the concepts, construction and classic holes around the world. The Good Doctor's Mid Ocean and Yale, as Warren Wind, Charles Price and Peter Thomson, plus a layout enjoyed today. 3rd was made famous by Australian bunker play, contribute to the green architectural field, Tom Doak's fine primer The Anatomy of a Golf Course (Lyons famous 13 points essential to an ideal course are reprinted here as well, well as his relationship forward by Alistair Cooke. Though not strictly an architectural comedian and actor Paul Hogan in the surface being scarcely visible from the & Burford, 242pp, 1992). A contemporary designer of great repute, Doak takes making this the clear choice among Mackenzie texts. with protégé Seth Raynor, work by any stretch, the thoughtful manner in which these In November 1968 the first task of mid 1970’s, as the site for the filming tee. Adding to the challenge, the green 15 chapters to lead the reader through virtually every aspect of course design is also most worthwhile. talented scribes dissect so many splendid holes makes the then Greenkeeper, Ray Bradley, of a Winfield cigarette commercial, is barely 360 square metres in area - and construction, including routing, aesthetics, psychology of design, style and Next we have an important entry by Mackenzie's frequent partner Mr Robert it more than relevant enough for our purposes. The World was to redesign the existing oiled the ‘ad’ campaign giving Narooma a only 22 metres long and just 12 wide! placement of hazards, and much more. Paying homage to the master architects Hunter, The Links (Scribners, 163pp, 1926). Hunter, as many are aware, was one Our final period entry actually predates all of the Atlas, though far from flawless, remains, nearly 30 years Tuross sand greens and build new much deserved tourism boost! of the Golden Age, Doak blends their ideas and a healthy dose of his own into of golf's more curious characters; an academician and avowed socialist who others, for published in 1920, HS Colt and CH Alison's and five editions later, clearly the best of its kind. grass greens. The occasion was The back third of the putting surface is an instructive yet easy-to-read text, a narrative which is further enhanced married into wealth and lived like a king. Curiously, this volume was apparently Some Essays on Golf Course Architecture (Country marked with the attendance of leading Measuring 141m, the length and stroke relatively flat, with a small mound to the by the detailed hole drawings of another talented designer, Gil Hanse. written before he had ever built a golf course, as his first design work with Life & G Newnes, 69pp) is widely viewed as the very Such then is our sampler, and we must note that as amateur players from Melbourne and index of this par 3 belies its difficulty. rear providing somewhat of a physical Mackenzie took place in 1927- a year after its publication. first volume to deal expressly with the subject of bonafide classics, nearly all remain readily available today, Sydney, with a young Bob Shearer The tee is perched on the cliff edge and and visual backstop to the hole. There If Doak's work introduces us to the theory and practice of architecture, Not surprisingly The Links carries a somewhat scholarly tone in architecture. Most of the essays are penned by Colt a number in reprint form. Inevitably many readers will representing Victoria. Melbourne based the carry across the tempestuous surf is a subtle slope to the balance of the perhaps an additional volume focusing upon its history is in order, and its examination of architecture, placing a heavy emphasis on the and include such titles as "Golf In The Nineties" (by take issue with these choices, finding a personal favorite New Zealander Sloan Morpeth, with in this inlet of the Pacific seems longer green towards the front right. With the You will surely enjoy the challenge Above: looking back here we can select another modern entry, Geoff Shackelford's The importance of greens and the value and placement of hazards. Alison), "The Modern Course - Framework," "The missing. Yet I wonder - when campaigning in favor of advice from Shire Engineer Bill Forbes, than it is in reality. The green is perched natural bail-out side being pin high of the 3rd - just remember to yell ‘fore’ across the chasm Golden Age of Golf Design (Sleeping Bear Press, 211pp, 1999). A Also revered for its many fine period photos and diagrams, Placing Of Bunkers," "Construction," "Financial an omitted title, which of the chosen works might the designed the second nine. However, precariously on the other side of the right, recovery shots are complicated in case ‘Hoges’ is down below - towards the sea superbly illustrated book, The Golden Age is a survey of architecture's The Links is an unquestioned classic, and one that remains Considerations" and "Labour-Saving Machinery And dissenter propose to replace? Have fun pondering with Morpeth’s passing in 1973, John Narooma Golf Club is renowned for Narooma’s original “Gap” hole used Players then re-played the original chasm, above a cliff face complete by the presence of a shallow swale or maybe not! legendary pre-World War II era, but its degree of detail and depth of constantly in demand today. The Cost Of Construction" (by then-partner Dr. Alister that question. It's an enjoyable exercise. Spencer was engaged to design and the spectacular views of the Pacific to play across the water in the 2nd hole as the 11th, and then played with a majestic sea cave. which runs adjacent the right hand side, information greatly exceeds what one generally finds in such an Mackenzie). Why Alison, with one essay contributed, construct the second nine, which from many of its holes, but is perhaps opposite direction, with the tee where the 12th from adjacent the fence of finishing near the front of the green. by Paul Mogford overview. Though obviously geared towards American readers, the Our next entry is a slightly devious choice as it incorporates three gets co-author billing while Mackenzie (with same) By Daniel Wexler opened for play in 1980. best known for its ocean hugging 3rd the current green is, and vice-versa. the ‘Police Paddock’ (near the turn The putting surface is kidney shaped many remarkable profiles, photos, hole drawings and routing maps modern collections of Golden Age articles penned by AW Tillinghast, doesn't is a mystery - and, perhaps, an additional hole, known originally as “The Gap” An article in ‘Golf in Australia’ from point of the existing 2nd hole) back and skewed to the left from the line So the next time you are planning a Special thanks to John Burbidge will more than hold the attention of a worldwide audience. The Course Beautiful, Reminiscences of The Links and Gleanings piece of evidence to suggest that the Good Doctor's and more recently as “The Chasm Hole” September 1947 describes this hole, to the original 4th green near the of play. Two small pot bunkers at the road trip along the New South Wales and Ken Hardingham of Narooma From The Wayside (Treewolf Productions, 1995, 1998 and 2001). - perhaps a throwback to the original which was then the 10th, as playing Clubhouse (the original 4th Green front left guard the majority of the south coast, be sure to factor in a stay GC for their kind assistance in relationship with his partners was not always amicable. the preparation of this article. Chasm hole at Biarritz in France south to north. was located in the vicinity of the green, particularly when played at Narooma and enjoy the hospitality (see Biarritz hole article in GA6). present day 1st tees). from the blue markers. and fine coastal golfing experience. Above: the splendid Inset, above: a page CB Macdonald’s plan for a Daniel Wexler is the author and illustrator of The Missing Links: America's embossed cover of “Golf from Robert Hunter’s nine hole practice course Greatest Lost Golf Courses and Holes, and Lost Links: Forgotten Treasures of Golf's Golden Age. His next book, The Golfer's Library: A Reader's Architecture in America” book “The Links” on the from “Scotland’s Gift - Golf” Guide To Three Centuries of Golf Literature, will be published in 2004. Purpose of Hazards 8 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E Daniel is based at the Riviera Golf Club in Los Angeles, USA. 10 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 11

The opening hole at Sutton Bay is a spectacular downhill Inset: Detail of green Below: late afternoonn sun Below: view from the members Inset: a large central bunker The 17th green is set The downhill 13th hole is a long par 5 of 600 metres from the tips. The expanses of Lake and bunkering on the highlights the dramatic setting tee at the 11th, a par 5 of 510m. defines the tee shot landing against a hillside with a par 3 played down a valley with Ohae forms a delightful backdrop behind the green 390m par 4 6th hole of the 16th hole. The green is Wide landing areas on an open, area on the 480m par 5 15th. ridge that intrudes across the premium on accuracy exposed to the winds off Lake windswept course like Sutton The fairway splits around the front of this par 3 Ohae and the design team Bay give golfers some leeway, this bunker, with the higher green leaving right side were concerned it was too allowing alternative routes left side continuing on as pins positions semi-blind exposed until Graham Marsh of play to reach the green the main fairway, while the insisted it was the right green right is truncated location - and here it was built

From the first time I visited Sutton Bay I knew there was a special golf course In almost twenty years of golf design, I can never recall spending so much time As a true St. Andrews lover, I have always enjoyed the trek to the end of the course Along with David Ireland and Mark Amundson, I spent many days criss-crossing There was always the temptation to find green locations that were protected and Being a members course, the opportunity arose to add the element of a blind tee The elevation change from the flat land above to the boundary defined by the Initial reaction on many holes may be that I have been overly generous with the RENOWNED AUSTRALIAN GOLFER AND COURSE ARCHITECT GRAHAM hidden amongst the dramatic landforms of the Missouri Breaks. The site was and effort on finding a routing for the course to comply with this brief. Early and the journey home with the beauty of the city forming a backdrop on almost the site on four-track vehicles to find 18 of the most natural and contiguous holes had natural backdrops to support them and it was only after reviewing how many shot and the occasional blind second shot on the par fives. Blind shots have Corp of Engineers was considerable. This became a major factor if I was to meet fairway widths. Some are indeed spacious - nevertheless it is somewhat of an MARSH HAD A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE TO DESIGN AND BUILD A rugged, yet at the same time magnificently beautiful. The soft and subtle shapes topographical plans were utilized to produce several layouts. Each of these layouts every hole. It is unique to say the least and reproduced only on rare occasions. the site had to offer. The early planning had not been in vain as at least the opening of those I had selected plus a little prompting from others that I finally decided to historically played an important part in golf architecture and I believe deserve to be the design brief of having a course that could be walked. The site was layered illusion, as within the confines of the fairway line exists a variety of difficulty. The UNIQUE GOLF COURSE IN WONDERFUL NATURAL TERRAIN AT SUTTON BAY of the land spread for mile upon mile along Lake Ohae and the ever-changing had their fair share of positives and negatives and if nothing else, these early holes and the finishing hole had been identified. Locating and piecing the rest of site some of the greens in unprotected locations. preserved as the game continues to expand. In the context of residential resort and with benches of usable land. Depending on the location often I had four benches fairway shapes are designed to either reward or punish accurate or inaccurate lines views were breathtaking. Sutton Ranch was a golf course waiting to happen routing plans clearly identified the site constraints. The main constraint was the Certainly I knew that there would be times given a southwesterly wind the holes on the puzzle together was far more challenging as much of the survey at the northern The 3rd, 11th and the 16th are now some of my favorite greensites and certainly daily fee golf they are considered taboo. It is therefore logical that as most of the to choose from, and in others only two. Altering direction of the holes created a of attack. Poorly chosen lines of attack can result in semi or totally blind approach IN SOUTH DAKOTA, USA. THE COURSE OPENED FOR PLAY IN JULY 2003 AND and I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to explore every possibility. land formation in the area of the site where I wanted to change directions with the the outward nine would play short and relatively straightforward whilst the holes on end of the site was somewhat sketchy at best. offer classic unrestricted views of the site and Lake Ohae. design work in the world today is predominately resort and daily fee courses, blind problem, as every time I varied the direction of the hole I had to leave the platform shots or sometimes the penalty may be a much more challenging side-hill lie. HERE HE TELLS GA READERS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSE nines. Here the land narrowed considerably and offered the least natural holes. the inward nine would become desperately challenging. Naturally when the wind holes have almost become redundant. When the target is not visible the golfer I was traversing at the time and move to another. Whilst this did not create a AT SUTTON BAY, A TRUE LABOUR OF LOVE FOR HIM AND HIS TEAM The brief for the golf course design was simple. The course should be playable came from the north the reverse would apply. I pondered about this on many Dozens of green sites and even more potential tee sites presented themselves at Finding tee positions was the least of my concerns as every portion of the property must focus and concentrate that little extra to visualize the shot he or she intends problem for that particular golf hole it lead to a problem for the next. I was It was my ambition to fit the course to the land and thus make it appear from yet challenging. It was to be a walking course and if possible meet the This conflicted with my initial objective of changing the direction of each of the occasions then thought to myself, so what, isn’t this an experience in itself? This every turn of the corner. By a long process of elimination I finally agreed on a layout had various knolls at different intervals to accommodate the requirements of line to execute. There is also the wonderful air of anticipation and excitement as the continually fighting the difficulty of taking up the elevation change form the day one that it had existed for hundreds of years. Months spent on site during all conventional configuration of a par 72. The earthworks were to be kept to a nines to test the golfers with varying wind directions throughout the round. Given was truly an opportunity to take a step back in time and enjoy some of the which I felt met the design brief. I still look at the site today and see holes that and distance. Initially nearly all of the tee placements were chosen to enhance player traverses the offending ridge or hillock to examine whether or not the chosen previous hole. It also was an issue with earthworks and keeping the site as natural the seasons gave me a true appreciation of the varying conditions confronting minimum and every effort was to be taken to ensure that the natural landscape the lay of the land and the narrowing of the site at these two critical points, this traditions of the game. could have made it into the layout but were rejected for one reason or another. As views but finally I decided to tuck some away behind mounds to offer variety and line and strength of shot have been successful. as possible. Once I moved form one platform to another I would be forced into the golfers. It was from this knowledge that it became apparent very early on that outside the works area of the course was preserved at all costs. became a problem. Whilst it was achievable, it didn’t offer the most natural golf always on a site of this nature par threes were in abundance. Finding the par fives protection from the wind. It was the old adage that sometimes less is more. considerable cuts and fills to keep the hole looking natural. Eventually I gave all for the course to be playable the fairways needed to be generous and the holes or the easiest of walks. Eventually I decided to abandon this approach and and the long fours dictated the bigger picture and it was somewhat ironic that I thought of moving from platform to platform away and concentrated on finding greens not overly contoured. concentrate on one 18-hole loop. I quickly became excited with this concept, as would finally settle upon a combination of three par 5’s, three par 4’s and three par holes that varied just enough in direction to be interesting and challenging historically, out and back courses have had a significant impact on the game itself. 3’s making up the outward nine holes. when the final strategies were introduced. 12 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 14 G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E G O L F A R C H I T E C T U R E 15