Is a new star rising?
+ A complex case for golf's GOAT; The compelling story of Erin Hills; Retreating to Kiawah Island; and Coore & Crenshaw work wonders in New England.
THE STARTER
🏌️ Ben Griffin won his second PGA Tour event of the year at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial and followed that with a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Memorial Tournament, a score not many people could fathom at Muirfield Village. Has Griffin found out how good he is?
🏌️ Turns out Xander Schauffele outed Scottie Scheffler for having his driver tested non-conforming at the PGA Championship. And seemingly not in a bad way. “It was more about, like, this guy just used his backup and absolutely rinsed the field again.” Sideswipe or salute?
🏌️ Speaking of driver testing on the PGA Tour: Test everybody or nobody?
🏌️ The par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont Country Club can be stretched to 300 yards for the U.S. Open. Good idea or goofy?
🏌️ And the par-3 ninth at Erin Hills is only 146 yards for the U.S. Women’s Open. Nelly Korda called the green “diabolical.” Which is the better test: long par-3s or short ones?
🏌️ Does Korda need to win this U.S. Women’s Open or does women’s golf need her to win it more?
🏌️ Barbara Nicklaus was the honoree at the Memorial Tournament in a heartwarming ceremony. Is there any doubt she is the first lady of golf?
🏌️ Angel Cabrera won the Senior PGA Championship for his second straight victory and second consecutive senior major. Has Cabrera found his freedom?
🏌️ If “zero torque” putters are so revolutionary, why aren’t the best putters among the professional players using them? Or is it just the worst ones?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Was Jack Nicklaus better than Tiger Woods, or vice versa?
New book, “The Golf 100,” seeks to answer that question and ranks 98 other notable men and women players — but not Scottie Scheffler.
:: Gary Van Sickle | Read
The Land as It Lies: Erin Hills
The Wisconsin beauty has hosted the best men players, so now it's the women's chance as the 2025 U.S. Women's Open takes on the test of slopes, wind and bunkers that architects Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten pieced together in 2006.
:: Up River Film Company | Watch
BOOKMARKED
Good reads — and listens — that are sometimes about golf, but not always.
📖 The people who clean the ears of Lincoln (and other statues)
A collection of images of the varied workers and techniques used to maintain some of the world’s largest and most prominent statues and monuments.
:: Alan Taylor | The Atlantic | 05.28.25 | Read
📖 Meet the man who makes ‘Mission: Impossible’ possible
Storyboard artist Mark Bristol talks about creating “The Final Reckoning’s” heart-pounding stunts for Tom Cruise.
:: Meher Yeda | Texas Monthly | 05.23.25 | Read
📖 Kenny Smith isn’t going fishing yet
The co-host of “Inside the NBA” discusses the show’s move to ESPN, the antics of his co-star Charles Barkley, and their role in popularizing meme culture.
:: Charles Bethea | The New Yorker | 05.18.25 | Read
📖 ‘Where did it start?’: A Tigers coach inspires players by charting their baseball beginnings
Read why Detroit coach Anthony Iapoce is more interested in the beginning or middle of a book than the end.
:: Tyler Kepner | The Athletic | 05.23.25 | Read
BUSINESS
THE FIRST CALL
Week in Review: The industry’s names, news and notables making headlines. | Read
This week’s editions: Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Industry press releases | Industry press release videos | TFC / PR Newswire feed
Golf Industry Job / Internship Board
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Pretty cool scripting artwork for Malbon’s U.S. Women’s Open players.
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
19TH HOLE
“Course of Life” podcast co-host Alex Lauzon closes each episode with the guest sharing a favorite 19th hole food and beverage experience.
Caley McGinty, LPGA Tour rookie: “Diet Coke ... maybe with some ice. It's a routine thing. I'll have whatever for the meal, but I always have to have a Diet Coke."
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
A PICTURE TELLS …
“The greens and surrounds have been given the space to breathe by careful forestry management, and the turf seems to sing throughout; the boldness of some of Colt’s green sites exposed in all their majesty. Some are vast and sprawling; others small but quietly devastating.”
:: Words: Richard Pennell / Pitchmarks | Photography: Simon Pope
Image: Hole No. 17, Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, London, England.
HOME FRONT
Kiawah Island Club | Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Listing: Ocean Pines, 1341 Beachwalker Drive.
Stats: 3,232 square feet | 4 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms.
Price: $5,599,900.
About: Tucked into the serene landscape of South Carolina’s coveted barrier island, Ocean Pines represents a new pinnacle in luxury coastal living. Situated in West Beach, Kiawah’s newest residential enclave, this exclusive collection of seven buildings showcases a blend of modern design and classic Lowcountry charm. Thoughtfully designed two-, three- and four-bedroom residences are nestled among layers of coastal pines and overlook a central lagoon. Walking paths and quiet gathering spaces enhance the natural tranquility of the community. Among these exceptional residences, 1341 Beachwalker Drive stands out as a rare offering. One of only two four-bedroom homes available in the development, this fourth-floor retreat spans an impressive 3,232 square feet. Surrounded by lush maritime forest and perched above Kiawah’s sweeping landscape, the home embraces a calming color palette inspired by the sea, sand and sky — subtle ocean blues, weathered grays and muted greens drawn from the island’s untouched environment. A double-height design fills the space with natural light, while expansive windows and sliding glass doors offer panoramic views of the Kiawah River and surrounding pines. As part of the Ocean Pines community, residents also enjoy proximity to the newly introduced amenities at The Cape, including a sleek oceanfront infinity pool, al fresco dining at the bar and grill and a state-of-the-art fitness center — all within walking distance. With the purchase of a Kiawah Island Club membership, residents can access even more, including exclusive golf, dining and wellness experiences. The private club offers two of the top 100 residential golf courses in the country and is the gateway to the Island’s social and recreational lifestyle. Kiawah Island itself is a masterclass in coastal preservation and luxury. Just 21 miles south of Charleston, this 10-mile-long barrier island offers more than 30 miles of bike trails, world-class amenities and a collection of seven elite golf courses, including the legendary Ocean Course that has hosted the Ryder Cup and multiple PGA Championships.
Home Front Archive | Read
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Coore & Crenshaw open The International’s Pines
The Pines at The International will reopen on June 6, following an extreme makeover by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
Located in Bolton, Massachusetts, 40 miles west of Boston, The Pines had long basked in the reputation as America’s longest golf course. That label is now ancient history.
Built originally in 1899 as Runaway Brook, a nine-hole public course, that layout was abandoned in 1955 when Geoffrey Cornish fashioned an entirely new track, with the help of top New England players Francis Ouimet and Paul Harney. The new spread instantly became the longest course in the U.S. at 8,040 yards and featured steeply pitched greens and deep bunkers.
International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) purchased the property in 1961 for use as a private club and corporate retreat. It changed the club’s name to The International Golf Club in 1967.
In 1972, Robert Trent Jones was summoned to soften the greens and bunkers, but he also added more length, stretching the course to 8,325 yards and par 73. This calling card, though, began to lose its luster early in this century as golfers became less focused on course difficulty as a measuring stick for quality. Instead, they have signaled a preference for courses that are strategic, walkable and enjoyable to play.
Coore & Crenshaw completely reimagined The Pines over the past three years. The firm created a totally new layout — not a single hole corridor or green site remains from the prior version. The routing, a par 71 measuring just over 7,000 yards from the back tees, is now more artfully draped over the land’s rolling topography and reflects Coore & Crenshaw’s trademark emphasis on beauty, strategy and playability.
“Over the last 20 years or so, there’s been a significant change to the perception of what constitutes a ‘great’ golf course,” said Jeff Kindred, chief operating officer for Escalante Golf, owner and operator of the club. “While the new Pines Course will still challenge players, it will do so without overtly relying on sheer length. Instead, it will combine Bill and Ben’s classicly inspired architecture with firm-and-fast course conditioning to create a playing experience that requires both creativity and skilled shotmaking. This throwback to option-oriented golf is embraced by today’s players and drove our decision to rethink The Pines and begin a new chapter in The International’s 125-year history.”
Fundamental to Coore & Crenshaw’s design philosophy is the idea of creating a rhythm from one shot to the next. This connectivity ensures that every hole contributes to the overall experience, giving a sense of flow and continuity to a round of golf. To accomplish this, the duo carefully select holes of varying lengths and strategic demands. Examples on The Pines include No. 16, a tantalizingly short par 3; No. 4, a reachable par 5; and No. 8, a temptingly drivable par 4. Every hole on the golf course is memorable and its own unique test, while seamlessly tying back to the larger 18-piece puzzle.
“We’ve failed, to be quite candid, if we have a signature hole,” Coore said. “To me, that basically is saying that you spent all your efforts on that one hole. You grounded the entire golf course around one hole. Instead, we believe that every hole could be a signature hole to someone, and we are proud to say we’ve accomplished this on The Pines.”
The Pines’ new architecture will shine even brighter thanks to the strategic use of fescue grass on fairways, tees and in the rough. This turf, most commonly found on seaside golf courses in the British Isles, encourages shots to bounce and roll more than the grasses typically found on other New England courses. Fescue also requires less frequent mowing and lower inputs of water and fertilizer.
Bentgrass, specifically the 007XL cultivar, will be used on the greens. It was selected for its exceptional turf density and fine leaf texture, which enhances putting quality and creates a consistently smooth surface. In addition, 007XL performs particularly well in cool weather, maintaining active growth and strong visual appeal during lower temperature periods — an important trait for the New England climate.
Many of the greens are also canted from front-to-back, rather than the more typical back-to-front arrangement. This will further entice players to consider bouncing their approach shots into an interesting variety of hole locations. The greens themselves are fairly large, ranging from 4,200 square feet (the short par-3 16th) to 10,800 square feet (the long par-3 third). Playing corridors are quite expansive, as the course features some 55 acres of fairways. The holes are frequently framed by pitch pines, a species that thrives in the sandy pockets of soil sporadically found across New England, Long Island and New Jersey.
Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the club’s 660-acre property, Coore & Crenshaw also incorporated the surrounding landscape into the vision for The Pines, using indigenous materials to create distinctive features. The dramatic “Quarry” around holes two, three and 13 is a prime example. It adds both visual interest and strategic depth, while showcasing their appreciation for the course’s secluded natural setting.
Design Notes Archive | Read