Risky Business!?

Dear Friend,
Welcome to the 3rd quarter installment of Staples Golf Design Quarterly for 2018! Fresh off the results of the Ryder Cup and the US’s drubbing in France, and the fireworks that ensued since, I’m pretty excited about this one!

In my newsletter, I’ve tried my best to give you an insight into my thoughts, and perspective of both the golf industry and the design business, because this outlet gives me the chance to talk frankly, while hopefully educating my readers.  I also hope there’s some fun in here too, because hey-  we’re all in the golf business, and it doesn’t get any better than that!

Risk and Reward

Since the recent opening of Meadowbrook Country Club, a few people have responded to me after playing the course for the first time – “Man, you and that membership had huuuge cojones for doing what you did!” Ha! Really?!?

In thinking about this, I don’t remember ever feeling like we were being risky, or stepping outside a comfort zone.  We were just doing what we thought was right for the Club, and doing it in a way that would be considered noteworthy. To me, we were just replicating many tried and true design features seen on many old-world golf courses.

Did we take a risk?  Based on today’s golf market, I guess we did.  Interestingly, many of the details seen at places like the Old Course at St. Andrews, or Garden City Golf Club, or any other turn-of-the-century course for that matter, are now supposedly considered “risky” or “out there.” So I’ve been described as someone that takes risk, and I’m ok with that.

Speaking of Risk...

For anyone that has not helped in the building of a putting green, there are very specific requirements on how greens should be built.  Most of these “recommendations” come via the Green Section of the USGA. Today, the “USGA green” is seen as the standard, regardless of location, soil type, or water quality.  Well, we’re doing it differently at the 1921 Tom Bendelow-design, University Club of Milwaukee.  Risky?  No way.

We’re working with Brian Mavis, consulting agronomist, on a proven approach to rebuilding five greens that will mimic the playing characteristics of their other 100-year old greens.  And, we’re doing this by not utilizing the USGA green spec. Our approach will not only save thousands of dollars on construction costs, but will allow superintendent Terry Conway, the ability to handle all the greens in the same manner, which will avoid maintaining the new greens not much differently.

There’s not enough space here to describe the approach, so feel free to call me directly if you’re curious. I might be in the minority camp that believes pushing the envelope regarding innovation and true sustainability is worthwhile, but's that how we’re doing it in Milwaukee.  I’ve built plenty of USGA greens, and believe there is a time and place for them.  However, in this case, I’m proud that the U Club has allowed us this freedom to innovate, and even more proud to say my process looks outside the box to address such individual challenges.

Pine Valley - My Take

A couple of weekends ago, I was happy to accept an invite to finally play a couple rounds at the Pine Valley Golf Club. Wow! What an experience! Originally built by George Crump to be the most difficult course in the world, it has been lauded by nearly every golf publication as being the greatest course in the US; a true golf Mecca.

I'm still pondering the overall golf course design, and its impact on our golf industry.  For one, I've never felt so uncomfortable through so many golf shots, as I did at PV. Man, that course is difficult (I shot 87-78)! I was struck by how the course was so uncompromising - essentially the same design as when it was completed in 1921.  To me, it walks the finest of lines between great golf shots, and poor play.

It was also eye opening how differently the course is approached by the better player, as opposed to the average guy.  Technology rings true here, where essentially the ball is traveling 20-40+ yards further than the original creators had planned; this fact is a testament to the quality of its design.  When I think of my visit to PV, I recall my first round at the Old Course at St. Andrews.  Very impactful to me as an architect, albeit, on the other end of the difficulty spectrum!

The Ryder Cuwflghqrwlfgkqh!!!

I have to talk about the Ryder Cup, right?!? There’s a lot still emerging regarding Tiger, Reed, Speith, DJ, and Koepka, but I’m not going to get into that particular discussion, other than the entire narrative around the state of American golf is disappointing.  Respect the team, respect the event.

I would however like to say a few words related to the golf course – it was not my cup of tea.  I can’t imagine anyone had interest in flying to France to play Le Golf National. It looked contrived, penal, and overly soft. Fairways were too narrow and the rough to long.  It certainly placed a premium on accuracy over length, without options or playing strategy, of which I feel is so important to great golf design.  The Fried Egg said it best with this article:

Le Golf is one end of the spectrum, the vast majority of PGA Tour courses are at the other end. What golf needs is more courses in the middle. Ones with a mix of holes, some that provide advantages to the power player, some that provide advantages to the accurate player.

2020 brings the Ryder Cup back to Whistling Straits in my home state of Wisconsin. There will be plenty to talk leading up to the tournament, but hopefully, the focus is placed squarely on strategic golf, and quality team competition.

In Other News...

We’re about to begin the contractor bidding process for the greens and bunkers renovation at San Vicente Resort in Ramona, CA, and we’re plugging away at tree removal, and selling our Master Plan at San Jose Country Club.  We also had another great engagement with the City of South Jordan, UT, and have a few more irons in the fire to boot.  Also, Sand Hollow in Utah was showcased in this month's Golf Digest, so take a look here!

Thanks again for reading! I’m always surprised at how well received these end up being, so thank you for your continued interest. Please feel free to share these with anyone you may know; I love watching SGDQ grow with every quarter! See you all again at Christmas and don’t forget to squeeze in some golf!

All the best,

Andy Staples, ASGCA