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Keith Durrant

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Tom Simpson
« on: February 01, 2003, 08:39:16 PM »
It seems that Tom Simpson played a major role in course design and renovation. The only real mention he gets on here is for Cruden Bay. Did he design any courses in the US?

What do you think are his major achievements/what are his best courses? Was he just a renovator or did he have his own distinct style/contribution?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Tom MacWood (Guest)

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2003, 10:32:19 PM »
Simpson was a very accomplished golf architect, but he was a little on the excentric side which might contribute to his low profile. He was also a well respected writer and his theories on golf design are still worth a look in my opinion. From my reading I get the impression that Darwin was very fond of his work - perhaps a personal favorite.

Some of his best work was done on the Continent - Morfontaine, Chiberta, San Sebastian, des Fagnes, Deauville and Ravenstien. And in England his redesign of New Zealand was well recieved. His career was very long and I don't think there is good handle on what exactly he did. He is not believed to have designed anything in the US, although his partner Fwoler came over in the early 20's and was very busy. Pete Galea said a while back that he found something that placed him in SF (with Fowler), but that was first I had ever heard of him possibly being in America. I recently found a profile where he listed St.Andrews and Pine Valley as his favorite courses--so who knows.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Tom Macwood (Guest)

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2003, 10:39:41 PM »
As far as style, Simpson was an excellent artist and his bunkers had a bold flair--free form with naturalistic capes and bays. Undulating greens that melded well with their environment. He advocated the strategic over the penal, and he was best known for his economic use of bunkers - so much so that some made light of it.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Tommy_Naccarato

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2003, 10:54:43 PM »
In regards to the excellent description given by Tom Mac, I too have tried, and tried again to get some of you to read Wethered & Simpsons "Architectural Side of Golf."

If you could see me now, my face would be turning a bright shade blue.

Get the book. It is a must read.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Brian Phillips

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2003, 03:21:53 AM »
Tommy,

I totally agree with you.  It is one of GCA's most underated books.  The sketches are worth owning the book for.

Brian
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored - John Low Concerning Golf

Keith Durrant

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2003, 07:49:37 AM »
Thanks Tom Mac. I notice that Morfontaine is in the "next fifty" section.

Grand Ducal in Luxembourg is also a Simpson design with some terrific holes.

Although the Continent is not liberally spread with great courses, there do seem to be a lot of lesser known gems.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Paul Turner

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2003, 08:30:53 AM »
I've seen a few old pics of Fagnes (Spa) and it looks super, in the heathland style.  Deauville looks interesting too, parkland with an expansive feel.

I'll second Tom's comments on Simpson:  concerning bunkers, it seems he was a true minimalist.  He didn't like cross bunkers which was different from Colt who liked to use them occasionally to completely block the fairway.  But he certainly liked centrally placed bunkers and there are some very entertaining letters in Golf Illustrated (1908/1909) where he takes on an anonymous professional on hazard placement.  

Don't forget County Louth and Ballybunion.  I posted some excerpts from the Ballybunion club history a while ago, which goes some way to explain what Simpson did there.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Steve Okula

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2003, 12:39:48 PM »
Tommy N.

Do you have the photos and text I sent you on Morfontaine?

Can you post them, or are they not worthy?

Steve
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Mark_Huxford

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2003, 06:09:10 PM »

Tom MacWood, would it be possible for you to post a photo of Tom Simpson? Did you ever get a chance to look at that sketch in GA6?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Tom MacWood (Guest)

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2003, 09:34:15 PM »
Mark
I'm sorry I don't have an image of Simpson - there is a photo and drawing of him in 'The Architects of Golf'. I did again look at the article and it is definintely a copy of Simpson's drawing. What also struck me is that the three drawings attributed to Russell are all completely different - they don't appear to be from the same hand.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Mark_Huxford

Re: Tom Simpson
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2003, 01:37:20 AM »
Tom, I will endeavor to find out why PB have that p26 sketch and where they got it from. If Neil Crafter sees this then Neil, can you confirm it's not an error before I go barking up the wrong tree? :)

I agree those drawings all look to be different. I believe the one of Yarra Yarra on p23 is Russell's. I have seen it attached to a newspaper article by J.M Dillon (Sporting Globe Dec 17 1927) as the course was nearing completion. The article talks about Alex Russell as the designer of the links.

The style is quite similar to the plan on p101 of Joseph Johnson's "RMGC - A Centenary History" book which is credited to Russell. The one of the Flinders links on page 88 of Tom Doak's MacKenzie biography, looks similar again, but we know from AM's letter that Alex did do some of his plans:

"Moreover, since I arrived here Mr. Russell has been continually associated with me while I have been advising golf clubs, and he has not only drawn some of my plans but has made many valuable suggestions". -AM

I was going to say that the two green sketches of Lake Karrinyup on page 25 look like MacKenzie's, but if they were done in 1948 that would be impossible  ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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