Questions that make you go 'Hmm ... '
+ How ice cream sandwiches may have shaped Tom Watson and the next generation of golfers; Good weekend reads; Are OEMs spending enough on R&D?
ON THE TEE
🏌️Grayson Murray’s redemption run now includes a victory on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Are you a fan yet?
🏌️Brandel Chamblee is taking his turn in the revolving analyst’s chair for NBC/Golf Channel that was left vacant by Paul Azinger’s departure. Are you hoping this is temporary or permanent?
🏌️Rory McIlroy lost the Dubai Invitational to Tommy Fleetwood by three-putting from 2½ feet down the stretch and pull-hooking a tee shot into the water on the final hole. Has someone who is considered a great player kicked away so many chances at victory?
🏌️McIlroy said he’d like to see LIV Golf’s team aspect delegated to two months, like the Indian Premier League in cricket. Does McIlroy really have a handle on what LIV teams are about?
🏌️The LIV rumor machine has been in full working order, churning about the possible signing of U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark, which fizzled out quickly. With less than two weeks until the first event, what’s the likelihood that LIV signs anyone of note for this season?
🏌️Jon Rahm’s LIV team will be called Legion XIII (LIV’s 13th team) and apparently will be joined by Caleb Surratt, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, and Kieran Vincent. Does it look like Rahm will have to carry Legion XIII on his back?
🏌️Joaquin Niemann, who won the ISPS Handa Australian Open in November, is playing DP World Tour events for ranking points in an effort to qualify for the Masters. Should that really be necessary?
🏌️Caddie Kip Henley, who worked for Murray for two Korn Ferry Tour wins in 2023, was kicked to the curb by Murray before the start of 2024. Henley reacted to his former boss’ success on X: “Ouchy.” Mature response?
🏌️For all you gearheads, the PGA Show is coming next week to its usual spot in Orlando, showcasing the 2024 models in equipment and apparel. Could this finally be the year you can buy a game?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Hey, Mr. Van Sickle, I have a question
Making sense of the latest LIV Golf news and player posturing, assessing NBC Sports' musical chair in the golf booth, and understanding Bryson DeChambeau
:: Gary Van Sickle | Read
Tom Watson leverages memories of his youth to grow golf
The major champion's interest in the game was stoked by rounds and ice cream sandwiches with his father. Now his Watson Links program creates similar experiences by connecting youth players with mentors
:: David Droschak | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 The catch
Virginia Kraft was among the most important sports journalists of her time. A pioneering adventure writer who was deadly with a rifle, she chiseled early cracks into publishing’s male-dominated world. So why hasn’t anyone heard of her?
:: Emily Sohn | Long Lead | 01.2024
📖 Baseball and the algorithm
Forty years ago, scientists did the impossible. Why doesn’t anyone remember?
:: Sam Miller | Pebble Hunting | 01.11.2024
📖 Then and now: Revisiting the Sopranos’ New Jersey 25 years later
On the anniversary of the show’s premiere, its creator and location manager reflect on some of its iconic settings and why they were chosen
:: Anna Kode | New York Times | 01.10.2024
WORTH A LISTEN
What is your superpower?
Amy Bockerstette and her father Joe join host Colin Weston to discuss her viral moment at the WM Phoenix Open and how that led to her I Got This Foundation
:: The ModGolf Podcast | Listen
BUSINESS
WEEK IN REVIEW
1️⃣8️⃣ The golf industry’s names, news and notables that are making the headlines. :: Read
PERFECT PUTT
Do golf OEMs spend enough on R&D?
Publisher Jared Doerfler looks at how much two of the biggest golf equipment manufacturers spend on research and development, and how that compares to what is spent in other industries
:: 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:
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
TRAVEL
The First Call has partnered with SportGo Travel, an online booking service, to give you up to 50% off or more on hotel accommodations worldwide.
Whether you’re planning your next trip to a tournament, a buddies or girls golf getaway, or a family vacation, book your stay through SportGo Travel and save. Simply create your account and start planning.
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
So if Jason Day’s apparel sponsor was Nike, and now he’s signed with Malbon, can he wear this collab? Curious minds want to know.
:: 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.
Mark Dondero, sports radio talk show host, WEEI in Boston, Massachusetts: “Honestly it's (fried) chicken and beer — at that point I've deserved a great meal, so it's some nuggets or wings and a tall one."
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Costa Palmas | Mexico
Listing: Marina Residences at Costa Palmas.
Stats: Interior, 2,474 square feet; exterior, 960 square feet | 3 bed, 3.5 bath.
Price: $4,950,000.
About: Situated in the heart of Baja’s largest port of call for superyachts, homeowners have a view of some of the world’s most sophisticated sailboats, sport fishers and yachts. This three-story, condo-style building has three separate luxury residences. Marina Residence 02-11 is located on the ground floor and has an open plan kitchen, dining and living area, creating space to gather and entertain with a stunning, waterfront backdrop. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide wide open for seamless transition from indoors to the expansive outdoor living space — perfect for sunbathing, dining or swimming in the private plunge pool. The residence has a master suite, a secondary bedroom with an en suite and a lock-off suite third bedroom with a private terrace to give visitors extra privacy or allow for rentals. The Robert Trent Jones II designed Costa Palmas Golf Club provides a scenic golf experience with views of the Sierra de La Laguna Mountain range, Sea of Cortez and the marina. Comprised of three six-hole loops, each with a distinct transition, this is a true walkable 18-hole golf course that offers generous landing areas off of the tees and superb green complexes.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Robert Trent Jones II to build Utah’s Three Bridges
Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects is creating its first 18-hole layout and practice facility in Utah for the new luxury residential-resort community of Three Bridges.
Set on 350 rolling acres of former cattle-grazing land, the property is in Salem, about 15 miles south of Provo along the western edge of the Wasatch Mountain Range.
The course will start with five holes routed through pastureland, while the next 13 holes will meander through a dramatically varying landscape that includes foothills, ravines and forests.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., chairman and master architect of RTJ II, said: “I’m thrilled our firm is gearing up to construct our first course in Utah. The land is special and will offer golfers great views and great shots.”
According to Trent Jones, COO of RTJ II, ownership’s direction was to emphasize “fun” by creating an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. “Knowing this community is geared to families, we created great flexibility in the positioning of teeing areas and welcoming fairway corridors for the beginning golfer, while creating exciting challenges for the seasoned player. We will add to the fun by preserving the natural landscape and emphasizing the views of the Wasatch range and amazingly varied topography.”
Construction will begin this spring, with the first nine holes and driving range expected to open by spring/summer 2025, along with a temporary clubhouse and fully stocked comfort stations. Other hospitality options, which will be operated by the resort, will include a sports bar with outdoor firepits and a full-day cafe. Also planned is a state-of-the-art golf academy with club-fitting bays and swing analysis.
The course will accentuate its surroundings as golfers will enjoy 360-degree views from steep mountain hillsides, across valleys and down to Utah Lake.
“We are routing the course to present the rugged landscape, elevation change, and scale of the site to both intrigue and entertain players,” said Mark Voss, senior project architect.
The course will open with a journey through open mountain meadow. The tee shots on holes Nos. 3 and 4 will offer a taste of the elevation change to be found later in the round. Holes Nos. 6 to 9 sidestep up a hillside through dense high desert, while No. 10 drops steeply to a green that pitches wildly on the valley floor. Holes 11 through 17 will wander up, down, over and across an undisturbed sloping hillside rich in vegetation and contour. The round finishes with an uphill par-5 that will tempt golfers to challenge a natural ravine in hopes of reaching the green.
Other design elements for Three Bridges include:
> Free-form tees matching the variety of angles and elevation change
> Heavily contoured greens to create maximum interest and fun
> Bunkering that pays homage to the rugged landscape, including elongated “scar” bunkers
> Clean edged-along areas of play, while backside/offside edges are more natural
Among unique golf elements being planned are a large "social green" near the main range tee; 11 Tee Homes, located at the back of the range to provide both accommodation and sport with indoor play bays; and a “hidden” par-3 challenge hole (from the seventh tee to the ninth green).
READ: This week’s complete Design Notes
RELATED: Design Notes archive
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