I Think I'm a Socialist!

GRG Client,

Welcome to the latest installment of the Staples Quarterly! Having just returned from a whirlwind study tour throughout southwest London with my colleagues from Meadowbrook, I find myself convinced that I'm a socialist! How so you ask? Between rounds of golf, strolls around what seem like parks full of congenial chaps and dogs off-leash, I have to reconfirm to myself that "Yeah; I love the social aspects of golf!" It's a great atmosphere and I thoroughly enjoy the inherent connection of golf to the community. I find myself completely refreshed by the birthplace of golf and the origins of both socially and environmentally sustainable architecture. (Pictured below, hole 4, Swinley Forest Golf Club.)

The Following Film is Rated R (Reallycoolnewvid)

The trip's timing was perfect, as our adventures here at home with Community Links takes another big step! Two weeks ago we released our brand new Community Links video; so while the concept continues to grow, we're feeling pretty good about the industry's pursuit to grow the game as well. So here it is; the Community Links video we've been working on for months! Our goal with the video was to lay out simply what the Community Links concept represents, and how our first installation, Rockwind, is being embraced by the community of Hobbs, New Mexico. (Click pic to view video.)

Young Guns on Tour

And speaking of growing the game, are you paying attention to this group of young tour players and their recent, complete domination?! It should be having us all asking "Tiger who?" It's awesome to watch this new wave of golfers bring our sport to a national relevance not seen since the 2000's. Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, amongst others, are doing wonders for the game as younger generations are hopefully paying attention too. Have you noticed that there's also a change happening in the design business? Environmental sustainability, community, lean and mean operations, are all the things that are beginning to become the norm as we enter golf's newest chapter.

We've Got it Covered

We were excited and also surprised to see Rockwind Community Links receive a featured piece and the cover of GCM Magazine just three months after it opened. This is becoming a unique time for the golf industry as we put the past's struggles behind us. We tip our hat to Howard Richman over at GCSAA for exploring this idea with his piece "Links to the Future?" when he heard of our Community Links concept. You can read the article here, or view the digital version of GCM's September issue here.

As always, feel free to reach out to me with any feedback or comments; I love hearing from you guys! Also, don't be shy about sharing the video on social media if you get the chance; the more eyeballs on this the better we do. And lastly, keep an eye out for our final, "holiday" edition of the Staples Quarterly for 2015! (Man this year has flown by!!!)Thanks for reading!

-Andy Staples

Additional pics from my trip to London!

Study tour group, Sunningdale Golf Club, hole 5

Sunningdale Golf Club, hole 10

Walton Heath Golf Club, hole 5

Woking Golf Club, hole 8