That little thing called an asterisk
+ PGA National Resort shows off its new vibe; New Inspiration outside of London; Mike Purkey's nine questions to consider.
THE STARTER
🏌️ Anthony Kim emerged from the shadows accompanied by the fanfare provided by LIV Golf. Kim responded by finishing the first round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, DFL with a 6-over 76. Expect anything different?
🏌️ Talor Gooch threw some shade over Rory McIlroy by contending that if McIlroy won the Masters to complete his career Grand Slam, it should be tagged with an asterisk because he wouldn’t have beaten all the best players in the world — assuming he’s including himself and other LIV brethren. Maybe Gooch should have taken the Joaquin Niemann route?
🏌️ Jon Rahm says he hasn’t heard from Tiger Woods since he signed with LIV. Should Rahm hold his breath?
🏌️ The latest iteration of “The Match” — this one with McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang drew a record low number of viewers for any of the eight previous versions. Did you watch?
🏌️ Speaking of watching, did you tune in to NBC’s breathless coronation of young, former bouncer Jake Knapp as he beat an entirely helpless field at the Mexico Open at Vidanta? Knapp got a Masters invite and Gooch won’t. Fair?
🏌️ Luke Donald is the latest in the revolving analyst chair at NBC, which is looking for a replacement for Paul Azinger, who was kicked to the curb by the network. Donald will work the Cognizant Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Seriously, does Geoff Ogilvy not want the job?
🏌️ Carlos Ortiz, who happens to be a LIV player, won the International Series Oman on the AsianTour and jumped from No. 1286 on the Official World Golf Ranking to No. 237. Make sense to you?
🏌️ Albane Valenzuela had 19 putts in a final-round 63 that earned her a second-place finish at the Honda LPGA Thailand. Last month at the LPGA Drive On, she had 10 three-putts for the tournament. Ain’t golf crazy?
🏌️ The countdown is on for Daylight Savings Time, which goes into effect March 10. Should you hurry to get your after-work starting time?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
PGA National Resort sports a new vibe amid tradition
A $100 million reinvention of the iconic Palm Beach Gardens, Florida destination includes course architect Andy Staples’ work on the 18-hole Match and par-3 Staple courses
:: Ward Clayton | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 What happened to baseball jerseys?
Fans are doomed to keep paying more for merchandise they want less.
:: Amanda Mull | The Atlantic | 02.20.2024
📖 How the PGA Tour’s new billion-dollar equity plan could help prevent player defections
:: Matthew Rudy | Golf Digest | 02.27.2024
BUSINESS
WEEK IN REVIEW
1️⃣8️⃣ The industry’s names, news and notables that are making the headlines. | Read
PERFECT PUTT
The numbers in college golf
While college athletic department revenue has increased 65% since 2014, college golf programs are a drain on the bottom line. Publisher Jared Doerfler examines the issue
:: 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
TRAVEL
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LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Put a little spring in your step with the new TravisMathew Daily Pro hybrid golf shoe.
:: 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.
Bradford Wilson, actor and golf influence: “If the bar has Yuengling, I'll get that and a BLT with a little extra mayo."
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Palmetto Bluff | Bluffton, South Carolina
Listing: 34 Lupine Road.
Stats: 4,953 square feet | 5 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms | 1 half bathroom.
Price: $4,750,000.
About: Palmetto Bluff is situated between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia in South Carolina’s Lowcountry and is the largest remaining entitled waterfront property on the East Coast. This home boasts a modern country design in Moreland Forest and was built by Palmetto Bluff Builders. The half-acre property is surrounded by a lush, maritime forest and overlooks the inland waterway, where a private dock provides direct access to water-based adventures. The home’s tabby stucco exterior with dark, earth-toned Boral siding and black-framed windows makes a striking statement. The community features two vibrant village centers, Wilson and Moreland. The private Palmetto Bluff Club offers exclusive access to a range of best-in-class amenities, including the newly renovated Shooting Club, the expansive Wilson Lawn & Racquet Club, a 12-acre working farm, the full-service Wilson Landing Marina, a new nine-hole King-Collins Golf Course Design reversible course and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course; and the Forbes’ five-star Montage Palmetto Bluff resort.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Mackenzie & Ebert conjures up The Inspiration Club
Mackenzie & Ebert, one of the top architectural renovation firms, is scheduled to debut an original design in June.
Having tweaked and altered eight of the 10 existing British Open venues including Royal Liverpool, Turnberry (Ailsa) and Royal Portrush, the U.K.-based firm is finishing up work at The Inspiration Club in Northolt, West London, England. The unusual design will feature links-like revetted bunkers and greens on an inland layout.
"We wanted to ensure that we had the right designer to create our vision and the result is a golf course unlike anything London has ever seen — a modern-style links," Tony Menai-Davis told GolfCourseArchitecture.net. Menai-Davis is director of the developer Bridgedown Golf Group, which owns The Shire London and West London Golf Centre as well. “To experience the shapes of the greens and run-offs we have here you would normally have to travel to the coast. The Inspiration offers the drama of the absolute best courses in the UK in sight of the capital. We are incredibly proud of The Inspiration and cannot wait to open in June.”
The “modern links in the city,” as the club is calling it will feature Pure Distinction bentgrass greens and will employ thoughtful water management. The front Purple tees will measure 5,440 yards, middle Orange tees 6,100 yards and back Black tees 6,610 yards.
“This has been an exciting, enjoyable and unique project and, if we have done our job well, then the same should apply to playing the course,” said Tom Mackenzie. “We hope that following a first trip around the course, golfers of all standards will want to return with their friends.”
READ: This week’s complete Design Notes
RELATED: Design Notes archive
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Is it fair to suggest that anything Talor Gooch does/says deserves an asterisk??? He is truly an idiot, but that doesn't need an asterisk........