Come Hell Or High Water
+ Will your Thanksgiving include golf?
ON THE TEE
🏌️ Tiger Woods announced that he will return to competition at the Hero World Challenge in December, taking one of the sponsor exemptions. Was this ever in doubt?
🏌️ Golf Channel reported that Woods won the Player Impact Program for the second straight year, despite playing only nine competitive rounds in 2022. Does it prove that Woods really can win the PIP falling out of bed?
🏌️ The latest iteration of “The Match” will feature Woods and Rory McIlroy vs. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, under the lights on Dec. 10, only a week after Woods will play four rounds at the Hero. Is that why the match is only scheduled for 12 holes?
🏌️ Pat Perez, who won more than $7 million just from the team portion the LIV Golf events, received congratulatory texts from Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, among others. They didn’t ask if there were any openings, did they?
🏌️ Scottie Scheffler returned to his faithful Scotty Cameron blade putter after a dalliance with a mallet. He shot 62 in the final round at Mayakoba. Didn’t Sam Snead say to “dance with the one that brung you”?
🏌️ Minnesota Vikings star Kirk Cousins and his wife bought Clearbrook Golf Course in west Michigan. Does it take quarterback money to make a purchase like that?
🏌️ The top college senior will be offered a PGA Tour card after next year’s NCAA Championship. Not necessarily the top player, who might be an underclassman. Are the lawyers listening?
🏌️ Former Masters champion Angel Cabrera was sentenced to another prison term after a second ex-partner accused him of abuse. “Prison has done me good,” Cabrera said. Apparently not enough.
🏌️ Is one of the saddest days in golf the Sunday that Daylight Savings Time ends?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
What does difficult look like in golf?
The second excerpt in a three-part series from golf course architect Richard Mandell's newly published 'Principles of Golf Architecture' examines the role of difficulty in architecture
:: Richard Mandell | Read
How a course survived a 'biblical' rain
On Aug. 17, 2021, more than 20 inches of rain fell during a two-hour flash flood that devastated Springdale. The washed out western North Carolina mountain golf resort has managed to rebuild itself
:: David Droschak | Read
HOME FRONT
Juniper Preserve | Bend, Oregon
Listing: 65852 Bearing Drive
Stats: 3,606 square feet | 3 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms.
Price: $1,999,000.
About: This fully furnished residence features timeless high desert architecture and an open floor plan, perfect for entertaining. The great room boasts a stone fireplace and full bar, with French doors leading out to the patio offering stunning views of the golf course. The primary suite has a gas fireplace, oversized walk-in closet and door to the patio. The residence also provides a triple garage with a workshop area and plenty of room for central Oregon outdoor gear. Pronghorn Club, now under the recently rebranded Juniper Preserve umbrella, is home to signature courses from Jack Nicklaus (public) and Tom Fazio (reserved for members). Both nationally acclaimed courses are surrounded by views of the Cascade Mountains, and have emerged as a bucket-list destination for golfers of all levels.
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 The too-muchness of Bono
In Dublin with the irrepressible U2 front man
:: David Brooks | The Atlantic | 10.31.2022
📖 Was Jack Welch the greatest CEO of his day — or the worst?
As the head of General Electric, he fired people in vast numbers and turned the manufacturing behemoth into a financial house of cards. Why was he so revered?
:: Malcolm Gladwell | The New Yorker | 10.31.2022
📖 How far did Ben Hogan and Sam Snead drive the ball? Unearthed study reveals
:: Luke Kerr-Dineen | Golf Digest | 11.08.2022
OFF THE PLAYLIST
One golfer’s song of choice for the course. Hey, and if you don’t like it? Share your choice. Seriously. .
🎶 Welcome to the Jungle | Guns N’ Roses [Spotify | iTunes]
DESIGN NOTES
Belfair gets the Tom Fazio treatment
⛳️ The West Course at Belfair, a private community in Bluffton, South Carolina, five miles from Hilton Head, recently reopened following a $5.8 million, five-month golf course renovation.
The project, which began in mid-May, included a new irrigation system, regrassing of greens, bunker renovations, as well as other projects to improve the award-winning course’s playability and aesthetics.
Fazio Design led the renovation project of the original Tom Fazio-designed West Course, which first opened for play in 1996. Leibold Irrigation executed the construction work.
Renovation work included the installation of a new pump station and a new Rain Bird irrigation system. Thirteen greens were restored to their original size, five greens were enlarged to allow for more pin placement locations and all greens were regrassed with hybrid ultra-dwarf TifEagle Bermudagrass.
All 63 bunkers were redesigned and reshaped for playability and visual appeal. Fabric bunker liners, sand and drainage were removed and replaced with a new polymer-based Capillary Concrete liner system. This new technically advanced lining method increased the speed at which water flows through the bunker, minimizing washouts, reducing maintenance and producing superior playability. New G-Angle bunker sand is now in all bunkers.
RELATED: Design Notes archive
Tee boxes were also expanded across the course and new forward tees were added on all 18 holes — totaling 3,800-4,000 yards — so that all ages and skill levels can enjoy the game. The renovation project also included extensive tree trimming for improved tree and turf health as well as better sight lines.
Belfair’s West Course Short Game Area was also enhanced and expanded during the renovation, as trees were cleared and a new short game green, fairway and bunker were added.
“Tom Fazio took a beautiful canvas and created a Lowcountry masterpiece,” said Chris Cento, president of Belfair. “With the help of the Fazio Design team and our partners at Troon, the West Course has been renovated, refined and is ready for the future."
⛳️ In 2021, Mike Davis stepped away from his role as CEO of the USGA after a 32-year-career. His stated intention was to pursue golf course architecture, a childhood dream. In 2022, that dream is being realized.
Davis teamed with architect Tom Fazio II and the team’s first project is underway, following the recent groundbreaking on the Apogee Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. Three championship 18-hole layouts are on tap — one by Gil Hanse, another by Kyle Phillips and the third by Fazio and Davis Golf Design. Set on 1,200 acres amid pine trees, live oaks and sandy terrain, the facility will also include two short courses, a vast, nearly 360-degree practice range and cottages.
Sebonack Golf Club founder Mike Pascucci and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross are investors in the project and it was those two that conceived the name Apogee Club, which means the "pinnacle." Hanse’s course is expected to open first, by the end of 2023. Fazio and Davis will begin their course after that, and will look to open at the end of 2024. The Kyle Phillips creation will emerge by the end of 2025.
⛳️ Aptly named Red Rocks Country Club, located in the southwest suburbs of Denver, Colorado, has reopened following a renovation by Kevin Atkinson.
Working with Landscapes Unlimited, Atkinson refurbished tees, bunkers and greens with the intent of injecting added variety. New grasses, improved irrigation and cart paths and a new 45,000-square-foot putting green are all part of the revamped golf course and facility.
Atkinson first did renovation work at Red Rocks with his firm Phelps-Atkinson in 2006. This time around, the biggest design change occurred at the sixth hole, where the par-3 was shortened. The hole is equipped with a horizon green on the edge of a canyon, providing for an exciting shot, as well as compelling long views of the Denver skyline and the snow-capped Rockies.
NAMES | NEWS | NUMBERS
BUSINESS
▪️ Rolex: Returns as timekeeper of the DP World Tour Championship, the fifth and final Rolex Series event, in Dubai at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nov. 17–20. … Golftec: Opens a 2,944-square-foot instruction, clubfitting center outside of Richmond, Virginia. … Landscapes Golf Management: Selected to provide advisory services to Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Michigan. … GCSAA: To send 12 members to the 2023 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Feb. 6-9 in Orlando, Florida, as a result of funding from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation. … Power Tee: Company reports that driving range and golf course owners are seeing increased revenues from Power Tee hitting bays versus traditional grass or mat bays, and is poised for growth in North America. … KemperSports: Selected to manage Spring Hollow Golf Club in Spring City, Pennsylvania.
COMPETITION / COURSES
▪️ USGA, R&A: Announces an update to the Rules of Golf, with an emphasis on inclusion and sustainability, that will go into effect Jan. 1. … Atlanta Athletic Club: Golf course architect Tripp Davis completes renovation of the club’s Riverside Course. … Ocean Club Golf Course: Hosted 20 men’s and women’s golf teams for the White Sands Bahamas NCAA Invitational, Oct. 21-23 and 28-30, at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. … Pelican Women’s Championship: Hosting its strong field in tournament history — seven of the world's top-10 players and 16 of the top 25 — through Sunday at Pelican Golf Club, in Belleair, Florida. … LPGA: Announces that the 2024 Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 10-15 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Also, points for the 2024 United States Team will start accruing at the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. … American Society of Golf Course Architects: Projects from five golf facilities were selected as Environmental Excellence Awards honorees for addressing unique environmental challenges. The recognized courses and architects are: Brookline Golf Course, Brookline, Massachusetts / Mark Mungeam; Columbia Golf Course, Minneapolis, Minnesota / Kevin Norby; Como Golf Course, St. Paul, Minnesota / Kevin Norby; Las Piedras, Punta del Este, Uruguay / Thad Layton; and Union League National Golf Club, Swainton, New Jersey / Dana Fry and Jason Straka.
DESTINATIONS
▪️ CVB, Skynav: Launch an immersive 360-degree virtual tour of Pinehurst, North Carolina, that allows visitors to experience the Sandhills destination using high-def panoramic imaging with interactive text, images, augmented reality and video integrations.
GEAR
▪️ Rain or Shine Golf: Unveils 2022 holiday gift guide ideas that are available on the company’s website and are suitable for a wide range of budgets. … Cleveland Golf: Announces its new HB SOFT Milled putter line that will be available on Nov. 18 with prices ranging from $199-$249. … Stewart Golf: British-based electric caddie manufacturer will offer a 20% discount on any online order placed during Black Friday Week, Nov. 21-28. … Tour Edge: Notches its 20th victory on the PGA Tour since 2018, while Bernhard Langer records his 44th PGA Tour Champions victory at the TimberTech Championship. … Blue Tees Golf: Expands the color offerings of both the Series 3 Max rangefinder and Player speaker to include a limited-edition white option. The products will retail for $269 and $129, respectively. … Whiskers: Golf-specific laces are worn by consecutive PGA Tour winners — the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba and Butterfield Bermuda Championship. … GolfForever: Partners with Folds of Honor to created branded products for 2023. … 2K, HB Studios: Announces bonus content for PGA Tour 2K23 with the addition of Top of the Rock Golf Course, and Dude Perfect and Hugo Boss apparel.
PEOPLE
▪️ LPGA Tour: Atthaya Thitikul earns the 2022 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award. Thitikul, who has two victories this season, has clinched the honor after finishing in a tie for 10th at last week’s TOTO Japan Classic. … PGA of America: John Lindert was elected the association’s 43rd president during its 106th Annual Meeting. Lindert, a member of the Michigan PGA Section, is PGA director of golf at The Country Club of Lansing. He succeeds Jim Richerson, who completed his two-year term as president and is now PGA honorary president. Succeeding Lindert as vice president is Don Rea Jr., of Gilbert, Arizona. Nathan Charnes, of O’Fallon, Missouri, was elected the new PGA secretary. … LPGA Professionals: Inducts Angela Aulenti, Carol Preisinger and Deb Vangellow into its Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Aulenti, a member of the LPGA Professionals since 1980 and past Northeast Section president, is a business owner and master clubfitter in Connecticut; Preisinger is a LPGA master professional and lead teaching professional at The Landings Club in Savannah, Georgia; and Vangellow is a LPGA master professional and director of golf instruction at Riverbend Country Club in Houston, Texas.
PHILANTHROPY
▪️ Ibkul: To donate 100% of gross profits of its Ukraine-specific women's top to MercyCorps, which is helping recovery efforts in the country. … Youth on Course: Opens online fundraising auction, Nov. 13-16.
THE STYLE LINKS
’Tis beginning to look like the season of giving. Check out G/Fore’s holiday gift guide for ideas to add to everyone's list.
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
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While "golf" shows up in the dictionary as a noun (a game) and as a noun (a word used in communications to represent the letter "G"), and as a verb (to play golf), I try to work around using "golf" as a verb. Conjugate it: I golf; you golf; he, she, or it golfs; we golf; you golf; they golf! It's always funny to see a definition that says a word is a verb and used the noun in the verb definition. So, I wish the survey asked, "Are you planning to play golf on Thanksgiving (Day)?" If golf is a verb, why not basketball, football, soccer, tennis and a myriad of other sports, and for that matter, why not "sports" as a verb? I sports; your sports; he, she, or it sports! My uncle who was a club professional always kept his courses open on Thanksgiving to give the men a place to gather than in the kitchen helping to prepare the Thanksgiving Day meal! Happy playing golf on Thanksgiving Day!
While "golf" shows up in the dictionary as a noun (a game) and as a noun (a word used in communications to represent the letter "G"), and as a verb (to play golf), I try to work around using "golf" as a verb. Conjugate it: I golf; you golf; he, she, or it golfs; we golf; you golf; they golf! It's always funny to see a definition that says a word is a verb and used the noun in the verb definition. So, I wish the survey asked, "Are you planning to play golf on Thanksgiving (Day)?" If golf is a verb, why not basketball, football, soccer, tennis and a myriad of other sports, and for that matter, why not "sports" as a verb? I sports; your sports; he, she, or it sports! My uncle who was a club professional always kept his courses open on Thanksgiving to give the men a place to gather than in the kitchen helping to prepare the Thanksgiving Day meal! Happy playing golf on Thanksgiving Day!