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T_MacWood

Tom MacWood:

I have covered that previously in my discussion on a number of his superior designs I have played -- e.g. Galloway National, Black Diamond (Quarry), Karsten Creek, Glen Wild and Dallas National, to name just five as there are others of serious note. I have also illustrated a number of his designs -- more often the case from the ones I have played -- which were a far cry from the details and qualities of his best work, e.g. Pine Hill, Mirabel, etc, etc.

It's there for people to re-read at their pleasure. To illustrate just one point is the idea that all TF courses are merely "eye-candy" productions that have little meaningful strategic implications. I have seen instances where strategic qualities are front and center. TF is fully capable in creating green sites that are well-balanced and include routing plans that work in totally harmony with the existing topography.

I'm not defending TF's restoration work -- I'm glad you slipped that one -- how convenient of you to throw it in -- my focus is on the actual designs created.  


Matt
I've read a number of your individual course reviews, I'm not asking you to repeat a course review. I'm asking you for a more thoughtful and insightful analysis of Fazio's architecture...an overview.. Afterall isn't that what this argument is about...one side arguing you can't judge architects work without sufficient experience...a vast majority of his courses?

Let us take advantage of your experience. I'd like to get your insight on what appears to be Fazio's guiding principles as observed on the ground; design preferences; strengths and weaknesses; unfair criticisms; his redesign/restoration work; evolution; observed consistancies/variations; etc. I'm not looking for a biography....just a sentence or two on the important points.

If you are judging an architect I'm not sure how you can exclude his restoration/renovation work...especially an architect who has been involved in such high profile courses as Augusta National, PVGC, Riviera, Sea Island, Inverness and Oak Hill.

Do you exclude ANGC, Congressional (pre-Rees), Firestone, Eugene and Oakland Hills from RTJ's portfolio?

T_MacWood

Pat
This is a discusion group. It seems to me you are interested in stiffling discusion....especially if you don't agree with the opinion. That has been your MO.

We are constantly giving our impressions, opinions and judgements...should we give our credentials everytime we make a statement...for example every golf course we have visited, every conversation we have had, every book and magazine we have read, photos, tv, etc?

I don't believe you have ever given us your credentials before discussing a given architect. You often discuss CB Macdonald. What CB Macdonald course's have you played? What books have you read that touch on Macdonald? What articles have you read? Are you qualified to make a judgment about Macdonald?

Matt_Ward

Tom MacWood:

I've provided the info you speak about many times and I have made the kind of cross comparisons between a range of TF original designs -- the strenghts, weaknesses, patterns, etc, etc. I can't help it if you seek not to look for it because it's been said a good many times over.

I've also said quite a few times that the bulk of TF courses that I have personally played would not be characterized as "must plays" or to be even more frank -- even architecturally compelling. They have been cranked out for the purpose in providing clients with a quick opportunity to capitalize on the home / real estate features and if making money is an indicator of success then TF and his associates have done quite well.

Clearly, Mr Fazio prefers to operate his business in a different capacity than those who take on particular individual projects and apply the time to them personally -- rather than through associates.

However, of the 50+ courses I have played from the TF portfolio there are no less than 10-15 that I would say are very good and some of those I would personally highly recommend as "must plays" -- because the amount of detail and hole quality -- in addition to a routing plan that maximizes all aspects of a top quality site is indeed present. Among those I have said such include Karsten Creek, Glen Wild, Galloway National, Black Diamond / Quarry and Dallas National, come quickly to mind. Each of the five just mentioned -- plus a few others -- merit national consideration among the best modern courses since 1960 IMHO.

Tom -- the "thoughtful" and "insightful" aspect you want -- forgive my directness -- has been done by me.

Regarding restoration / upgrading, call it what you will. To me that's a completely different category and outside the domain of original course creation. I don't believe TF understands the notion of restoration because, one can argue -- as I believe you and others have -- that his attempts in doing such things has clearly gone in a far different direction than what the courses you mentioned were meant to be originally.




A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Matt Ward
Post #104 is very good, and I know that you have written all of that before.  Thanks for saying it again.

Perhaps the misunderstandings begin because we can evaluate GCA's (fairly or unfairly, wisely or unwisely) from either the top of their work down, as you have done with Fazio, or from the bottom up, as many others (myself included) have probably done with TF's massive body of work.  Which of these methods of evaluation is more appropriate or effective is certainly open for debate.

No matter whether we view the total body of work in light of the very best work done, or instead as sort of an average of ALL the work done, we have to give everyone else the same credit for careful thought and considered opinions that we want issued to us.  Otherwise, there is no basis for discussion, which is what this place is about.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

T_MacWood

Tom MacWood:

I've provided the info you speak about many times and I have made the kind of cross comparisons between a range of TF original designs -- the strenghts, weaknesses, patterns, etc, etc. I can't help it if you seek not to look for it because it's been said a good many times over.

Maybe you have and I missed it. I have read you individual reviews, but that is not what I am asking for, and I'm not asking you to compare two or three Fazio courses. The question this thread asks is who is qualified to judge an architect...not who can write a single review of a course or who can compare two courses. I don't recall you ever writing an overview of Tom Fazio golf architect.

I've also said quite a few times that the bulk of TF courses that I have personally played would not be characterized as "must plays" or to be even more frank -- even architecturally compelling. They have been cranked out for the purpose in providing clients with a quick opportunity to capitalize on the home / real estate features and if making money is an indicator of success then TF and his associates have done quite well.

Interesting info, but i'm not looking for 'must plays' or fraudulent 'must plays'...this thread deals with judging an architect.

Clearly, Mr Fazio prefers to operate his business in a different capacity than those who take on particular individual projects and apply the time to them personally -- rather than through associates.

However, of the 50+ courses I have played from the TF portfolio there are no less than 10-15 that I would say are very good and some of those I would personally highly recommend as "must plays" -- because the amount of detail and hole quality -- in addition to a routing plan that maximizes all aspects of a top quality site is indeed present. Among those I have said such include Karsten Creek, Glen Wild, Galloway National, Black Diamond / Quarry and Dallas National, come quickly to mind. Each of the five just mentioned -- plus a few others -- merit national consideration among the best modern courses since 1960 IMHO.

I'm not really looking for the Fazio courses you prefer.

Tom -- the "thoughtful" and "insightful" aspect you want -- forgive my directness -- has been done by me.

Regarding restoration / upgrading, call it what you will. To me that's a completely different category and outside the domain of original course creation. I don't believe TF understands the notion of restoration because, one can argue -- as I believe you and others have -- that his attempts in doing such things has clearly gone in a far different direction than what the courses you mentioned were meant to be originally.

How do you judge RTJ's career without Oakland Hills or the 16th at ANGC?

What I am looking for is an analysis of Tom Fazio's architecture...not a course review or comparison of a couple courses or a list of his best designs.

You make the arguement who is and who isn't best qualified to judge an architect...so let us take advantage of your experience...lets take advantage of your qualifications to judge. I'd like to get your insight on what appears to be Fazio's guiding principles as observed on the ground; design preferences; strengths and weaknesses; unfair criticisms; his redesign/restoration work; evolution; observed consistancies/variations; etc. I'm not looking for a biography....just a sentence or two on the important points.

If you would rather not, for whatever reason, thats fine too...its not really worth arguing about.





Patrick_Mucci

Tom MacWood,

This is a discusion group. It seems to me you are interested in stiffling discusion....especially if you don't agree with the opinion. That has been your MO.

I can understand you taking this position, as you've offered your opinion on an abundant number of golf courses that you've NEVER SEEN.
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We are constantly giving our impressions, opinions and judgements...should we give our credentials everytime we make a statement...for example every golf course we have visited, every conversation we have had, every book and magazine we have read, photos, tv, etc?

YES, it's called "qualifying" your opinion in an intellectually honest context.

You should state whether you NEVER played or stepped foot on the golf course prior to the rendering of your opinion.
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I don't believe you have ever given us your credentials before discussing a given architect.

That's a lie and you know it.
I don't render an opinion of a golf course that I haven't played,  something that you've done all too frequently.
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You often discuss CB Macdonald. What CB Macdonald course's have you played?

NGLA, Yale, The Creek and Piping Rock.  40 % of his existing work.

Have you played NGLA, Yale, The Creek and Piping Rock ?
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What books have you read that touch on Macdonald?
Off the top of my head, a couple of dozen.
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What articles have you read?

I can't remember the titles, but more then a few.
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Are you qualified to make a judgment about Macdonald?
YES and NO.  It would depend upon the specific topic.

But, the one thing I won't do, which you do, is to render an opinion on a golf course that I've never set foot on.
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Dave Moriarty,

This thread and subsequent discussion were centered on golf courses that you've played, not read about.

You could read about GCGC, NGLA, Shinnecock, Friar's Head, Maidstone and Sebonack all you want, and the information you acquired through your readings could never replace the actual experience of playing those courses, preferably numerous times.

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0

This thread and subsequent discussion were centered on golf courses that you've played, not read about.


To be fair, that's NOT exactly what this thread was about.  

The actual point of the thread was about how MUCH of an architect's work you had to see before rendering a valid opinion, and if someone who might have played more courses by that architect would therefore automatically be more qualified to offer a more valid opinion.  

I would take it that reading about a golf course might be viewed as valuable by one side of that debate, though doubtless less so than playing that same course, all other things equal.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Patrick_Mucci

AG Crockett,
Over the last couple days I have seen a few members of this site put a lot of stock into the thought that if you haven't played a vast majority of an architect's work than your opinion of that architect means squat.  I vehemently disagree with this criteria.  This criteria is being used by members here to invalidate others opinions DUE TO THEIR LACK OF ACCESS OR FUNDS. I would qualify that

Just because someone has played many works of an architect doesn't make his/her opinion of that architect any more important or valid than someone else's.  Especially, when the "experienced" person's own biases, ability and agenda in forming  their opinion about the architecture can be put into question.

To me, this line of rationale is being used to pump up the importance of certain posters own opinions and to brag about the exploits of their golfing conquests.  In many cases, I think it's an attempt to pull the wool over others' eyes.  It is nothing more than a way of trying to make one's opinion more important than someone elses BASED ON SOMETHING THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE VERY IMPORTANT, but in many cases means little.


To refresh your memory, here is Jeff's original post, including the title.

Jeff chose to frame this thread in the context of access and financial means, ignoring the value of the experience and knowledge gained by playing a greater number of courses.

How can playing MORE of an architect's courses be a negative, a detriment to intelligent evaluation, as Jeff seems to imply.

This isn't class warfare, it's common sense.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 03:17:41 PM by Patrick_Mucci »

Matt_Ward

Tom MacWood:

As denizen of endless questions -- I simply say this -- I have answered at great length and with much minutia the aspects you are speaking about. Asking the same questions many times over isn't worth my time -- it might be worth yours. If that's the case you can likely check out many of the TF threads posted over the last few years and see what's been written -- I know I have posted my thoughts on broader topics than just selective courses of what is good and what is not so good.

There's no "maybe" on what I have posted concerning Tom Fazio. I have provided, IMHO, a balanced and fair disposition of his work and their related tendencies -- good, bad and so-so.

Look Tom -- this is a silly exercise because you will play the game of endless questions where answers have already been provided. You may not believe the answers are sufficient to whatever it is you are looking for but in my book they are complete.

I have provided countless inspections and analysis of TF as an architect. Since you have missed it -- I suggest you go back and see what's been provided. It's there many times over. One last thing -- I don't see TF as being a constructive force when the subject of restoration is mentioned. He has failed at quite a few courses of stature (e.g. Inverness, Oak Hill, Augusta, etc, etc). On his original designs I see it as I have described. One other thing -- given the fact that I believe I have played a fair output of TF designs I have tried to assess them indivually and collectively over the course of his design life. Unless a person is able to assess the vast array of individual courses he has done you cannot ipso facto deliver some broad heading determination of "Tom Fazio / golf course architect." I believe I have done that -- if you see differently so be it.

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Pat - I think many would be reluctant to give design credit of Yale to CBM. But even assuming we do, and also assuming that your 40% tally is correct. Is that the magic number to talk about an architect?

Would also appreciate a response to post #96 which I made in response to yours.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 03:35:56 PM by SPDB »

T_MacWood

Matt
I find it ironic that the one arguing for qualified judges, for whatever reason, refuses to give us a thoughtful analysis or overview.

Pat
40%?

Do you consider Yale and The Creek Macdonald or Raynor designs?

You often confuse exposing redesign activities with rendering  judgements.

I've played NGLA, Yale, Chicago, St.Louis and Old White. Walked The Creek and  Piping  Rock. Why?

« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 03:37:50 PM by Tom MacWood »

Jeff Fortson

  • Karma: +0/-0
AG Crockett,
Over the last couple days I have seen a few members of this site put a lot of stock into the thought that if you haven't played a vast majority of an architect's work than your opinion of that architect means squat.  I vehemently disagree with this criteria.  This criteria is being used by members here to invalidate others opinions DUE TO THEIR LACK OF ACCESS OR FUNDS. I would qualify that

Just because someone has played many works of an architect doesn't make his/her opinion of that architect any more important or valid than someone else's.  Especially, when the "experienced" person's own biases, ability and agenda in forming  their opinion about the architecture can be put into question.

To me, this line of rationale is being used to pump up the importance of certain posters own opinions and to brag about the exploits of their golfing conquests.  In many cases, I think it's an attempt to pull the wool over others' eyes.  It is nothing more than a way of trying to make one's opinion more important than someone elses BASED ON SOMETHING THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE VERY IMPORTANT, but in many cases means little.


To refresh your memory, here is Jeff's original post, including the title.

Jeff chose to frame this thread in the context of access and financial means, ignoring the value of the experience and knowledge gained by playing a greater number courses.

How can playing MORE of an architect's courses be a negative, a detriment to intelligent evaluation, as Jeff seems to imply.

This isn't class warfare, it's common sense.

Patrick,

First, it must be noted that you CAPITALIZED words in my post that were not capitalized to begin with.  If you want to quote me, then do it properly.  You put a "spin" on my words by doing that.  

The first sentence in my original post gets to what I am trying to say, "Over the last couple days I have seen a few members of this site put a lot of stock into the thought that if you haven't played a vast majority of an architect's work than your opinion of that architect means squat."  I then go on to say that I disagree with this form of thinking.

Discounting free thought is not democratic or a breeding ground of learning and expression.  If you want to set forth your own agenda I suggest you create your own website to tell others how to think.  You will have the ability to tell everyone they are wrong all you want because you set the rules.  Since when did you decide what it takes to give an opinion on an architect?  Why do you get to set the groundrules for what qualifies as a valid opinion?

If you want to try to say that my intent of this thread was to discuss financial or elitist access in an absolute terms then you  must have a guilty conscience.  Sure, mentioning those factors have something to do one's ability to see courses but that isn't what this thread is about.  

What it is about is that some individuals on GCA are trying to disqualify others opinions if they haven't seen as many courses as them of an individual architect based on that fact alone.  I have never said that seeing more courses make you less informed, which you imply that I say.  That is total bullshit and you know it.  Go back and read the numerous times I have said that I agree that seeing more courses benefits an individual in drawing conclusions on an architect's body of work and overall style.  Stop spinning my words to fit your agenda of browbeating others into submission of the dogma of Pat Mucci.  

The point is simple, there is a growing problem of individuals trying to solidify their position and discount others opinions through senseless jabbering of how many courses they have played in comparison to others without discussing the courses themselves.  It's ludicrous and ignorant.  


Jeff F.
#nowhitebelt

Patrick_Mucci

Pat - I think many would be reluctant to give design credit of Yale to CBM. But even assuming we do, and also assuming that your 40% tally is correct. Is that the magic number to talk about an architect?

I never quantified a magic number.
What I did say is that 1 % , 2 % or 10 % was an inadequate number upon which to pronounce broad based conclusions.
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Would also appreciate a response to post #96 which I made in response to yours.

I'm still waiting for you to list the RTJ courses that you indicated you played.
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Patrick_Mucci

Tom MacWood,

Pat
40%?

Do you consider Yale and The Creek Macdonald or Raynor designs?

Are you saying he had nothing to do with them ?

Also, answer my question, have you played NGLA, Yale, The Creek and Piping Rock.  Simple YES or No's will do
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You often confuse exposing redesign activities with rendering  judgements.

No Tom, I just correct your inaccuracies and false conclusions
[/color]

I've played NGLA, Yale, Chicago, St.Louis and Old White. Walked The Creek and  Piping  Rock. Why?

When did you play NGLA ?
Earlier this year you indicated that you had only walked it.
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« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 03:49:41 PM by Patrick_Mucci »

Matt_Ward

Mr. MacWood:

Please let's stop with the inane and incorrect assumption you just made ... "I find it ironic that the one arguing for qualified judges, for whatever reason, refuses to give us a thoughtful analysis or overview."

I answered it Tom -- countless times. You need to do some personal homework and you'll be able find any number of examples. I have answered it time after time after time.

End of story ... ;)


SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Fair enough, when I have the time I'll list them out. But given that my post is unrelated to RTJ courses, and concerns your false attribution/erroneous inferences, perhaps you could respond in the meantime.

Again, why is it important to list the RTJ courses I've played?

T_MacWood

Tom MacWood,

Pat
40%?

Do you consider Yale and The Creek Macdonald or Raynor designs?

Are you saying he had nothing to do with them ?

I don't believe I said anything one way or the other. Do you consider Yale and The Creek Macdonald or Raynor designs?

Also, answer my question, have you played NGLA, Yale, The Creek and Piping Rock.  Simple YES or No's will do
[/color]

Did you miss my original answer?

You often confuse exposing redesign activities with rendering  judgements.

No Tom, I just correct your inaccuracies and false conclusions
[/color]

We are still waiting for that...cries of intellectual dishonesty aren't really doing the trick (and are growing tiresome)...especially considering you've not brought one morcel of evidence to the table and I've produced a great deal of info.

I've played NGLA, Yale, Chicago, St.Louis and Old White. Walked The Creek and  Piping  Rock. Why?

Based on your numbers I'm at 70%. I reckon I've read more books and articles on Macdonald as well...I think even you would  concede that. Am I more qualified to judge Macdonald than you? Why or why not?



I played NGLA in September and never said anything about walking it.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 04:12:37 PM by Tom MacWood »

Patrick_Mucci


Patrick,

First, it must be noted that you CAPITALIZED words in my post that were not capitalized to begin with.  If you want to quote me, then do it properly.  You put a "spin" on my words by doing that.

You call quoting you directly ..... spin on your words.
That's exactly what you typed, I capitalized them because AG Crockett either didn't read them carefully enough, or had forgotten the original post.

Again, those are your exact words, I didn't delete or insert any other words.
[/color]

The first sentence in my original post gets to what I am trying to say, "Over the last couple days I have seen a few members of this site put a lot of stock into the thought that if you haven't played a vast majority of an architect's work than your opinion of that architect means squat."  I then go on to say that I disagree with this form of thinking.

I know how to read, and I never said that it was necessary to play the "vast majority" of an architect's work.  What I did say, since you choose to misquote or misrepresent my words, is, that playing 1 % , 2 % or 10 % is an inadequate data base by which to draw broad general conclusions about that architects's work, especially when it's voluminous and extends over fifty or sixty years.

In keeping with your thinking, one with little or no experience at playing an architect's work has equal weight with one who has played the VAST MAJORITY of the architect's work.

Does that sound logical, in any evaluative process ?
[/color]

Discounting free thought is not democratic or a breeding ground of learning and expression.  If you want to set forth your own agenda I suggest you create your own website to tell others how to think.  You will have the ability to tell everyone they are wrong all you want because you set the rules.  Since when did you decide what it takes to give an opinion on an architect?  Why do you get to set the groundrules for what qualifies as a valid opinion?
You lack it, so I'll tell you, it's called Common Sense, which evidently isn't so common.

Are we now to understand that your opinion is, from a scientific point of view, that the study of one case or an extremely limited number of cases, qualifies the individual to draw broad, finite, accurate, general conclusions ?

Perhaps you should investigate clinical trials and studies in medicine to grasp the absurdity of your position.

Start with ClinicalTrials.gov and then see if you can comprehend the necessity for in depth, broad studies based upon a larger numbers of cases.
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If you want to try to say that my intent of this thread was to discuss financial or elitist access in an absolute terms then you  must have a guilty conscience.  

Baloney, That's exactly what you said.
You typed it, not me.
You said it was all about access and funds.
Are you now going to deny what you wrote ?
Do I need to quote you again to remind you of what you said ?
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Sure, mentioning those factors have something to do one's ability to see courses but that isn't what this thread is about.

How would one know that ?
That's what you typed, and that's what you said it was about.

Perhaps you should have rephrased your opening remarks to more accurately reflect what you meant, because that's not what you said.
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What it is about is that some individuals on GCA are trying to disqualify others opinions if they haven't seen as many courses as them of an individual architect based on that fact alone.  I have never said that seeing more courses make you less informed, which you imply that I say.  That is total bullshit and you know it.  Go back and read the numerous times I have said that I agree that seeing more courses benefits an individual in drawing conclusions on an architect's body of work and overall style.  Stop spinning my words to fit your agenda of browbeating others into submission of the dogma of Pat Mucci.

If one needs to reread posts and other threads, it's you.
I've maintained, consistently, and throughout my posts, that playing 1 %, 2 % or 10 % is an inadequate sampling from which to draw definitive general conclusions about an architects entire body of work, especially when the architect's work may have spanned 50-60 years.

You are the one who chose to reinterpret my words to suit your feeble attempts to couch this discussion in the context of access and funds, and to allege that I've disqualified the opinions of others.

Since you appear obtuse at best, I'll restate my position for the umpteenth time:  

Playing 1 %, 2 % or 10 % of an architect's work is too narrow of a data base from which to form finite general conclusions regarding his entire body of work, especially when the architect's body of work spans 50-60 years.

Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with that statement ?
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The point is simple, there is a growing problem of individuals trying to solidify their position and discount others opinions through senseless jabbering of how many courses they have played in comparison to others without discussing the courses themselves.  It's ludicrous and ignorant.  

Would you cite an example of that ?

Or were you objecting to Tom MacWood's questioning me about the number of CBM courses I've played ?
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Patrick_Mucci

Tom MacWood,

They are not cries of intellectual dishonesty on your part, they are real examples.  Atlantic, Nantucket, Hollywood, the list goes on.  The only person tiring of it is you, because you don't like being confronted with the reality of your actions.

As far as producing information, I'm still waiting for the date on that second B&W of Hollywood's 7th hole, and information regarding who altered the hole as evidenced by the very pictures you posted.

You also implied that the 7th at Hollywood was similar to the B&W pictures you posted, prior to Rees's project.  And, you never posted pictures of the7th hole from a front view, just prior to Rees's work.  You were intellectually dishonest, and purposely misrepresented what was and wasn't there prior to Rees's work.  A pattern you repeat quite often.

With regard to your walking NGLA, I was being generous.
You may recall that you admited that your observations, observations upon which you qualified yourself as an expert on NGLA, were based on your views of NGLA from the road.

You've been disengenous on a number of occassions.
And, while you may not like what I say,
I haven't misrepresented the circumstances or facts.

T_MacWood

Pat
Don't  try to change  the  subject.

Patrick_Mucci

Tom MacWood,

Just try posting and answering questions in a fair and honest fashion.

Do you think playing 1 % , 2 % or 10 % of an architect's work qualifies you to make credible, finite, general statements about the architect's entire body of work ?

A simple YES or NO will do.

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
From memory - no doubt leaving out some.

Bellerive
Old Warson
Spyglass
Edina
Hazeltine
Mauna Kea
Black Hall
Broadmoor
Carambola
Seven Oaks
Incline
Celebration
Grenelefe
Palmas Del Mar
Eisenhower Pk (2)
CCNC
Firestone
Rockrimmon
Heron Lakes
Duke
Sugarbush
Tuxedo
West Point
Elkhorn
Turnberry Isle - 2
Green Spring VHC
Lyman Orchards
Montauk Downs
Midvale
North Hills
Patterson
Cornell
Ponte Vedra Inn
Whatever Crystal Springs is called now.
Port Royal
St. George's
Half Moon

W/Rulewich
Metedeconk
Crumpin Fox
Fox Hollow

Not to mention courses that bear his indelible mark (many of which should properly be referred to as his):

Upper Montclair
Baltusrol
CCof Fairfield
Oakland Hills
Firestone
Ponte Vedra Inn
Mid Ocean
Riddel's Bay
Castle Harbour
Congressional
Green Spring valley (noted above)
The International

Now address my post please.

« Last Edit: December 07, 2004, 05:11:52 PM by SPDB »

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
"You call quoting you directly ..... spin on your words.
That's exactly what you typed, I capitalized them because AG Crockett either didn't read them carefully enough, or had forgotten the original post."

Patrick,
Thanks for the attention, but I thought I DID read it carefully enough and had NOT forgotten!  I really thought that the original post was about the total number of golf courses an individual had played as THE determining factor in their expertise about a particular GCA.  How exactly YOU capitalize the part about funds and access and lay it at my feet escapes me, but I'm sure you must be right!  

Actually, if you remove the sentence about funds and access, the premise of the thread changes not one iota.  Not one.  The thread is about the expertise that playing lots of courses by a particular GCA automatically confers on an individual, and that individual's ability to then dismiss the opinions of all others who have played fewer courses.  It was about that from the first sentence, and it still is.  You can capitalize whatever you want, and that won't change.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Jeff Fortson

  • Karma: +0/-0

Patrick,

First, it must be noted that you CAPITALIZED words in my post that were not capitalized to begin with.  If you want to quote me, then do it properly.  You put a "spin" on my words by doing that.

You call quoting you directly ..... spin on your words.
That's exactly what you typed, I capitalized them because AG Crockett either didn't read them carefully enough, or had forgotten the original post.

Again, those are your exact words, I didn't delete or insert any other words.
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The first sentence in my original post gets to what I am trying to say, "Over the last couple days I have seen a few members of this site put a lot of stock into the thought that if you haven't played a vast majority of an architect's work than your opinion of that architect means squat."  I then go on to say that I disagree with this form of thinking.

I know how to read, and I never said that it was necessary to play the "vast majority" of an architect's work.  What I did say, since you choose to misquote or misrepresent my words, is, that playing 1 % , 2 % or 10 % is an inadequate data base by which to draw broad general conclusions about that architects's work, especially when it's voluminous and extends over fifty or sixty years.

In keeping with your thinking, one with little or no experience at playing an architect's work has equal weight with one who has played the VAST MAJORITY of the architect's work.

Does that sound logical, in any evaluative process ?
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Discounting free thought is not democratic or a breeding ground of learning and expression.  If you want to set forth your own agenda I suggest you create your own website to tell others how to think.  You will have the ability to tell everyone they are wrong all you want because you set the rules.  Since when did you decide what it takes to give an opinion on an architect?  Why do you get to set the groundrules for what qualifies as a valid opinion?
You lack it, so I'll tell you, it's called Common Sense, which evidently isn't so common.

Are we now to understand that your opinion is, from a scientific point of view, that the study of one case or an extremely limited number of cases, qualifies the individual to draw broad, finite, accurate, general conclusions ?

Perhaps you should investigate clinical trials and studies in medicine to grasp the absurdity of your position.

Start with ClinicalTrials.gov and then see if you can comprehend the necessity for in depth, broad studies based upon a larger numbers of cases.
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If you want to try to say that my intent of this thread was to discuss financial or elitist access in an absolute terms then you  must have a guilty conscience.  

Baloney, That's exactly what you said.
You typed it, not me.
You said it was all about access and funds.
Are you now going to deny what you wrote ?
Do I need to quote you again to remind you of what you said ?
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Sure, mentioning those factors have something to do one's ability to see courses but that isn't what this thread is about.

How would one know that ?
That's what you typed, and that's what you said it was about.

Perhaps you should have rephrased your opening remarks to more accurately reflect what you meant, because that's not what you said.
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What it is about is that some individuals on GCA are trying to disqualify others opinions if they haven't seen as many courses as them of an individual architect based on that fact alone.  I have never said that seeing more courses make you less informed, which you imply that I say.  That is total bullshit and you know it.  Go back and read the numerous times I have said that I agree that seeing more courses benefits an individual in drawing conclusions on an architect's body of work and overall style.  Stop spinning my words to fit your agenda of browbeating others into submission of the dogma of Pat Mucci.

If one needs to reread posts and other threads, it's you.
I've maintained, consistently, and throughout my posts, that playing 1 %, 2 % or 10 % is an inadequate sampling from which to draw definitive general conclusions about an architects entire body of work, especially when the architect's work may have spanned 50-60 years.

You are the one who chose to reinterpret my words to suit your feeble attempts to couch this discussion in the context of access and funds, and to allege that I've disqualified the opinions of others.

Since you appear obtuse at best, I'll restate my position for the umpteenth time:  

Playing 1 %, 2 % or 10 % of an architect's work is too narrow of a data base from which to form finite general conclusions regarding his entire body of work, especially when the architect's body of work spans 50-60 years.

Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with that statement ?
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The point is simple, there is a growing problem of individuals trying to solidify their position and discount others opinions through senseless jabbering of how many courses they have played in comparison to others without discussing the courses themselves.  It's ludicrous and ignorant.  

Would you cite an example of that ?

Or were you objecting to Tom MacWood's questioning me about the number of CBM courses I've played ?
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Patrick,

Talking to you is like talking to a wall.  You still dodge the intent of my post by spinning it into what you want it to mean.  

Giving an opinion about a golf architect is not nuclear science.  I don't need to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to find out how much "research" I need to do to form a qualified opinion on an architect's work.  This isn't science, it is art to me.  It is a craft, not an operation.  If you think of golf course architecture as a science then I could see how you like the formulaic works of some of the modern wanna-bees.  

When you CAPITALIZE my words you give the words a different tone, so just try quoting me instead of CAPITALIZING which makes it seem as if I am yellling those words.  You should know what CAPITALIZING words means on an internet discussion group by now considering you have a billion posts on here.

You said...

"n keeping with your thinking, one with little or no experience at playing an architect's work has equal weight with one who has played the VAST MAJORITY of the architect's work.

Does that sound logical, in any evaluative process ?"

I have consistently said that I do think playing more courses CAN and MOST LIKELY will help one come to a more sound conclusion on an architect's work.  WHat I have been saying repeatedly, is that I disagree with those that try to diminish a person's opinion based on the amounts of courses one has played alone.  Why can you not get this?  I have said it over and over.  

You said...

"You lack it, so I'll tell you, it's called Common Sense, which evidently isn't so common.

Are we now to understand that your opinion is, from a scientific point of view, that the study of one case or an extremely limited number of cases, qualifies the individual to draw broad, finite, accurate, general conclusions ?

Perhaps you should investigate clinical trials and studies in medicine to grasp the absurdity of your position.

Start with ClinicalTrials.gov and then see if you can comprehend the necessity for in depth, broad studies based upon a larger numbers of cases."

Common sense?  Wow, coming from someone that can't think outside of their own box is pretty comical.  If it doesn't fit in your frame of thinking then it must be destroyed.

You said...

"You said it was all about access and funds.
Are you now going to deny what you wrote ?
Do I need to quote you again to remind you of what you said "

I challenge you to find where I said it was ALL about access and funds.  Seriously, show me where I said that.  You can't, because I never said it was ALL about access and funds.  I said that it plays a part in one's ability to see courses in their lifetime, I never said this topic was ALL about it.

You said...

"Since you appear obtuse at best, I'll restate my position for the umpteenth time:

Playing 1 %, 2 % or 10 % of an architect's work is too narrow of a data base from which to form finite general conclusions regarding his entire body of work, especially when the architect's body of work spans 50-60 years.

Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with that statement ?"

Obtuse?  Wow, this is a lot of name calling for an adult with "common sense".  

I DISAGREE with that statement.  It is not too narrow if one has WALKED or SEEN, or WATCHED a golf course in person as well.  I also consider if they have studied the writings and opinions of experts of their work.  These are aso factors.  So it depends on the individual.  That is why I do not choose to publicly shame people for not playing as many courses as I have.  Maybe, just maybe, they might notice something or learn something from a discourse that isn't seeped in forcefeeding agendas that you and other spew at them.



You didn't ask any questions I posed in my last post, nor do you answer many other people's post on this topic.  You want to do all the questioning and seek to destroy and spin people's opinions that don't jive with your line of thought because it obviously makes you uncomfortable.  I personally have had enough of it and will do my best to hold my tongue out of fear of joining your namecalling fiasco.  I have gone down this road with you before and it's all too obvious that you are still as closed minded about things as in the past.


Jeff F.
#nowhitebelt

Sam Sikes

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