On Bradley, the British and breathing
+ Nick Price discusses the next chapter of his golf career; a beauty of an abode in Hawaii; and a Cardinal lands in metro Detroit.
THE STARTER
🏌️ Colin Montgomerie had the audacity to suggest that Tiger Woods should retire. Is he right?
🏌️ Woods missed the cut — badly — at the British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club, his third missed cut in four majors this year. Has he actually retired and just hasn’t announced it?
🏌️ Keegan Bradley wasn’t even interviewed for the 2025 Ryder Cup captaincy before he was told he got the job. Does that mean Woods turned it down at the last minute?
🏌️ Bradley indicated he’d be open to taking LIV Golf players on his team. Was that decision made easier by Bryson DeChambeau winning the U.S. Open?
🏌️ DeChambeau started the British Open with a 5-over 76. That won’t change Bradley’s mind, will it?
🏌️ Rory McIlroy started with a 7-over 78 at Troon. Is he done?
🏌️ LIV Golf’s Richard Bland won the U.S. Senior Open in addition to the Senior PGA Championship — two senior majors in his first two senior events.
🏌️ Sergio Garcia beat Anirban Lahiri in a playoff at LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama and Garcia’s Fireballs won the team event in a playoff over Lahiri’s Crushers. Does that help validate LIV’s team format?
🏌️ According to reports, LIV is considering an event at Chambers Bay, site of the 2015 U.S. Open. Is that a good fit for LIV?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Q&A: Nick Price | Major champion, course architect
The three-time major champion — including winning the British Open 30 years ago — discusses his playing and design career, which currently has him working on a 27th design project, Soleta Golf Club.
:: Ken Klavon | Read
HRV training: How breathing improves your game
Looking to shave strokes and stay calm in pressure situations? The answer may have more to do with breathing than it does with equipment or swing mechanics.
:: Dr. Michael Smith | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 They called it ‘improper’ to have women in the Olympics. But she persisted
A century ago, Alice Milliat fought for the inclusion of female athletes in the Olympics. Her contribution, long overlooked, is now being recognized.
:: John Branch | New York Times | 07.10.2024
📖 An oral history of the 1999 All-Star Game that saved Fenway Park
Twenty-five years ago, the Red Sox planned a grand farewell for Fenway Park. Instead, thanks to Ted Williams, Pedro Martínez, and perhaps the greatest assembly of baseball talent ever, the 1999 MLB All-Star Game helped save the historic landmark.
:: Benjamin Cassidy | Boston Magazine | 06.30.2024
📖 How does a golf club get to call itself 'Royal'?
:: Ryan Herrington | Golf Digest | 07.16.2024
BUSINESS
WEEK IN REVIEW
1️⃣8️⃣ The industry’s names, news and notables that are making the headlines. | Read
PERFECT PUTT
The money behind the Open
Publisher Jared Doerfler takes a look at The Royal & Ancient’s financial standing and what part the British Open plays.
:: Jared Doerfler | Read
Each Monday, Jared Doerfler breaks down the business of golf. Subscribe to Perfect Putt here.
ICYMI
This week’s editions of The First Call:
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Looking rather calm and collected in these British Open photos from Wednesday. Any bets the facial expressions have changed a tad by now?
:: Janice Ferguson | IG: @janiceferguson_thestylelinks
19TH HOLE
Each episode of the “Course of Life” podcast closes with the guest sharing a favorite 19th hole experience.
T.J. Weber, a sports betting and casino content creator: “After the round it’s a cheeseburger, extra pickles, extra onions … and a Blue Moon to go with it.”
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Kukui’ula | South Shore, Kauai, Hawaii
Listing: Kula Makai Custom Home J, 4078 Noho Kai Street, Kauai, Hawaii.
Stats: Lot, 32,084 square feet; living space, 7,307 square feet | 5 bedrooms | 5.5 baths.
Price: $19,500,000.
About: Set apart on a breathtaking headland in the Kula Makai neighborhood, the custom home is one of the premier oceanfront residences on Kauai. Designed by Keith Kelly of Kelly & Stone Architects, the single-story contemporary plantation-style residence sits on nearly three-quarters of an acre. The home includes a chef-inspired kitchen with large island counters, floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtfully designed interiors by Donna Vallone of Vallone Design that channel the surrounding natural landscape. The primary suite with lounge seating includes dual vanities, spacious walk-in closets, and a private garden with an outdoor shower. Each guest bedroom includes ensuites and outdoor showers, with one bedroom featuring four built-in bunk beds. The residence also features luxurious amenities, including an infinity pool and spa, a home office, a spacious covered lanai and the latest in energy-efficiency technology. Acting as the social and recreational centerpiece of the community, the private clubhouse includes the main clubhouse with signature restaurant and world-class culinary offerings at Umeke Kitchen + Bar. Other amenities include an 18,000 square foot full-service sanctuary, the Hiʻilani Spa and Fitness Center with retail, 30-plus fitness classes a week, tennis, pickleball, multi-sport courts, and a collection of saltwater swimming pools. It’s also home to an 18-hole, Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Raymond Hearn’s The Cardinal flies at Saint John’s Resort
Saint John’s Resort, metro Detroit, Michigan's leading resort, hotel and conference destination, opened its new Raymond Hearn-designed 18-hole championship course, The Cardinal, to the public on June 22.
In addition, the resort also debuted its Little Cardinal Par 3 short course, Cardinal Putting Course, and Doyle’s Irish Pub, which create the ultimate golf entertainment complex. The project is the region’s first high-end public golf development in over 20 years and part of a $50 million resort transformation that began in 2021 under the property’s ownership group, the nonprofit Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.
"We are very excited to be opening this new championship golf course, Par 3 course, and putting course," said Stan Witko, executive director of golf for Saint John’s Resort. "It has been over a year in the making, and everything has been meticulously maintained for the past six months. The course conditions are the best I have seen for a new course opening.
"This new championship golf course, combined with the short course and putting course, creates the perfect entertainment venue for golfers of all abilities, golf groups, and families to enjoy together. The facility serves as a foundation for building a passion for the game, offering a welcoming entry point into the world of golf. On top of that, 100 percent of the profits from the resort, including golf, goes to charity."
The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort stretches across 200 acres of rolling land. The original 27 holes were removed entirely to create the new golf course. The Cardinal presents an original experience with no two holes looking or playing alike, having been routed in all directions to factor in elevation, wind, terrain, and scenic beauty for optimal strategic shot values. The course also takes full advantage of the flow of the land and the 100-year-old trees that were saved during the project and now frame many of the holes. Several holes also feature classic Golden Age green contours and bunkering.
"The land was a perfect setting for me to draw on my inspiration from previous Donald Ross, Tom Bendelow and Willie Park Jr. projects and one of my favorite courses, the Old Course at Sunningdale by Willie Park Jr., which I implemented on both the championship course and the short course," Hearn said. "Our goal was to create a fun golf experience. I believe we have achieved that, and then some, with this project."
The Little Cardinal and Cardinal Putting Course is the region’s first-of-its-kind seven-hole short course and two-acre putting course. Saint John’s Resort joins top golf destinations like Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Streamsong and Sand Valley, which offer these exciting golfing amenities.
Also designed by Hearn, the Little Cardinal course is set among 7.5 acres of rolling hills in a parkland setting, giving golfers a variety of fun, short shots into some inspired green complexes. The holes, ranging from 44 to 112 yards with names like Punchbowl, Volcano and Postage, provide a unique experience for all ages and abilities. To make the game easier for golfers, the course has incorporated innovative synthetic turf tee boxes with a shock-absorbing rubber foundation replicating natural grass tees and providing a more forgiving surface to hit shots.
The Cardinal Putting Course is a two-acre 18-hole putting course packed with endless fun and challenge. The course, which was inspired by the Himalayas Putting Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, features a variety of exciting humps and swales, although not as extreme as the original. The 18 holes can be set up in four different versions. This fun golf gathering space includes food and beverage, built-in music, and scheduled live music events.
“These exciting golf attractions provide a relaxed environment focused on fun and offering a less intimidating introduction to the game, encouraging newcomers to want to participate, learn, and improve,” Witko said.
RELATED: Design Notes archive
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Larry,
Love to read comments like this. Is there anything in particular you enjoy about the daily M-F or Saturday edition?
Tony: Thanks for the note. The majority of golf publications refer to it as the British Open, and we are not aware of any golf protocol. The Associated Press, Golfweek, Golf Digest are just a few also refer to it as British Open. We actually fluctuate between the two and usually say British to make sure it's clear. I know here in the U.S. when there is conversation about the Open people often time are talking about the U.S. Open.