The Ryder Cup Is Front And Center
+ Searching for a last-minute tee time just got easier.
ON THE TEE
🏌️ The U.S. never led in any match of Europe’s 4-0 foursomes beatdown in the first session on Friday at the Ryder Cup. Did the powerful, highly-ranked U.S. team look overwhelmed?
🏌️ Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were left out of the Ryder Cup’s first session. What message did that send to the Europeans?
🏌️ On the eve of the Ryder Cup’s first matches, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was working with putting guru Phil Kenyon. Was it a little late for that?
🏌️ Golf Channel analyst John Wood, who has caddied in multiple Ryder Cups, believes European players and caddies thoroughly work all the hole locations during practice rounds and when the matches start, they know the exact reads of all the putts. Does Europe know the hole locations in advance? Could Wood be right?
🏌️ Did Zach Johnson make captain’s picks and pairings to prioritize comfort over competition?
🏌️ While LIV Golf players and former Ryder Cup greats Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter were left out by Europe, Jon Rahm still got advice from Garcia and Poulter. Good move?
🏌️ Michael Jordan, who has become a Ryder Cup fixture, was picking Europe to win. Does he know something we don’t?
🏌️ Tyrell Hatton, known as golf’s most prolific user of foul language, doesn’t apologize for it. “Just any time of day, anywhere. No holding back. Doesn't matter what we're doing. I'm swearing. F*** off.” Like it? Or not?
🏌️ After the Solheim Cup ended 14-14, sentiment is growing to find a way to break ties. Do you like tradition or a playoff tiebreaker?
:: Mike Purkey
FEATURES
Is a tie a proper finish for the Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup?
After a 14-14 finish at the recent Solheim Cup, the question was raised as to whether there should be a tiebreaker for such outcomes. The First Call readers share their takes
:: TFC Inbox | Read
Noteefy proving to be a win-win for golfers, courses
The start-up tee time booking assistant easily connects golfers with courses that have available last-minute tee times
:: Ken Klavon | Read
BOOKMARKED
Good reads that are mainly about golf, but not always.
📖 Euro-crash
The Ryder Cup came down to a U.S. stretch run and an Italian swoon song
:: Rick Reilly | Sports Illustrated | 10.04.1993
📖 The audacity of making your own playlist
In the latest version of the apocalypse, robots are choosing our music for us. It's high time we raged against the machine
:: Dave Holmes | Esquire | 08.15.2023
📖 The look and substance of Raymond Floyd
Thirty years ago, he was key in an American Ryder Cup road win
:: Bill Fields | The Albatross | 09.28.2023
BUSINESS
SCORECARD
1️⃣8️⃣ The golf industry’s week in review — the names, news and notables that are making the headlines. :: Read
PERFECT PUTT
The money behind the Ryder Cup
When the PGA of America hosted the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, it recognized $192 million in revenue and $143 million in tournament revenue
:: Jared Doerfler | Read
Each Monday, Jared Doerfler breaks down the business of golf. Subscribe to Perfect Putt here.
LIFESTYLE
THE STYLE LINKS
Yeah, bring back the USA Onsies!
:: 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.
Chris French, PGA Professional, Aldeen Golf Club, Rockford, Illinois: “For me it's a glass bottle of Miller High Life, and they have great pizza here, so likely a pepperoni pizza.”
:: Alex Lauzon | Co-host of “Course of Life” podcast
HOME FRONT
Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste | Costa Rica
Listing: Estate No. 6.
Price: $9,221,053.
Stats: 4,996 square feet (interior) | 9,887 square feet (total) | 5 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms.
About: Nestled in the heart of Guanacaste Province, on a dramatic cliffside peninsula overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Papagayo, Estate No. 6 is one of the 22 furnished Waldorf Astoria oceanfront estate homes associated with the five-star hotel. In addition to three levels of interior living space, an additional 5,000 square feet encompass a private pool on the primary level, a lower-level plunge pool, multiple terraces and rooftop, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Papagayo. The estate’s design is seamlessly integrated with the landscape and the surrounding views, offering an environment of peace, tranquility and serenity. The eco-friendly estate will be fully furnished and sustainably designed with naturally illuminated and ventilated rooms and high-efficiency heating, cooling and wastewater systems. Owners will have access to luxury hotel amenities like a beach club, a cenote-inspired spa with treehouse-style treatment rooms, multiple restaurant venues, a gym, a movement studio, an outdoor yoga area, and lap- and thermal pools. Minutes away from the forthcoming Waldrof Astoria sits a 7,021-yard, par-71 Robert Trent Jones II-designed golf course. Set among a tropical paradise in Reserva Conchal, the course received designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through Audubon International’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The course also offers private instruction and night golf.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN NOTES
Royal Birkdale unveils future changes
⛳️ Ten-time Open Championship venue Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, this past week announced a series of course changes and the addition of a spectacular new par 3 that will enhance the experience at this historic facility.
With a club history dating to 1889, Royal Birkdale’s current course enjoyed a substantial revision in 1931 and has experienced multiple alterations since that time. The latest plan involves changes intended to elevate the challenge and beauty of the layout while preserving the traditions and heritage that make Royal Birkdale so iconic.
The club will partner with Tom Mackenzie from the renowned Mackenzie and Ebert Golf Course Architects and with eminent golf course construction company Golf Link Evolve for this project. Mackenzie and Ebert are known best for renovations at eight of the 10 current Open Championship venues, plus Japan’s Hirono, the top-ranked classic course in Asia.
The work at Royal Birkdale will be carried out in two phases. Phase one will begin this fall and conclude in spring 2024. Phase two will start in fall 2024 and conclude in spring 2025. All work will be completed in time for the club to host the Open Championship again in 2026.
The key highlights of the work will include:
> Brand new par 3: Royal Birkdale will introduce a new par 3, which will play as the new 15th. This is designed to offer more variation to the current set of par 3s and will have the club’s iconic clubhouse in the background.
> Redesigned 14th hole: The existing par-5 15th will become the new redesigned 14th hole.
> Existing 14th hole: The green will be converted into a short-game area and existing teeing grounds will be kept in play as a 19th hole.
> Fifth hole: The current fifth hole will be completely redesigned.
> Seventh hole: The current seventh hole will be redesigned to become a short par 3 with the green raised.
> General Improvements: The bunkers, tees and pathways throughout the course will be renovated to provide players with consistent, more natural playing conditions.
"The changes at Royal Birkdale reflect our dedication to upholding the club’s esteemed reputation while offering a golfing experience that is second to none,” said Neil Cruickshank, course chairman. “We are confident that these alterations will be warmly received by both our members and visitors from around the world."
READ: This week’s complete Design Notes
RELATED: Design Notes archive
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