Monty (and David Kidd) on changes to Gleneagles

[Marty Bonnar]

From Today's Scotsman:

http://sport.scotsman.com/golf.cfm?id=503762005

Does this mean 'Florida-in-Perth' will now become 'Bandon-sur-Highland?

FBD.

[Tom_Doak]

I guess David was so jealous of my collaboration with Mr. Nicklaus that he found his own way to work with him!

[Jason Topp]

My impression has always been that what this course needs is to disappear.  I have only played the Kings so I do not have direct experience.  Can the work planned really turn this into a decent course?

[Kirk Gill]

On the Gleneagles site Jack Nicklaus is quoted as saying something to the effect of "This is the greatest piece of ground I've ever been given to build on."

Not having played it, I can't comment, but did he really botch it that horribly?

Jack? Jackie boy? The lad from Upper Arlington?

[Robert Thompson]

The most hysterical thing about the Scotsman story is that the writer took the Planet Golf ratings at face value and notes that Scotland's golf total only trailed Canada.
Of course, there are dozens of Golf Digest raters in Canada that vote on best new course in Canada, which may explain why so many bland Canadian tracks ended up on the list. Of course there's some good ones too.... but only a couple compare with the best in the world.

[john_stiles]

Played several times at the Kings and our Scottish hosts never once mentioned the Centenary, even after several pints at the bar.   After a prodding question,  I think our host did say 'Oh no, we will play the Kings again.'

The few Centenary holes visible from the road and from the 5th green/6th tee of Kings do look very 'modern.'

Best wishes for the Centenary and please stay away from the Kings.

Kidd seems like a 'fit' for the work.  He is a hot new Scottish architect.  Just moving tees about and adding limited bunkers seems more like work for the previous archie.

This 'greatest ground' is always a bit funny.  Maybe it should be reserved until about 10 years after the course operning.

[johnk]

OT - I don't understand how people can think Rosemount Blairgowrie should be in the top 20... !?

[Tom_Doak]

John:  Everyone wants what they don't have.  The Scots think a woodland course like Blairgowrie is really unique ... they've never seen a great one.

[Marty Bonnar]

Having visited Gleneagles last Winter to meet with Tommy Cushnahan (fellow MSc grad from Edinburgh and David K's man-on-site) I was impressed with much of the work.

DK appears to have seen more in the site than Mr Nicklaus did. There is already a brand new 7th Greensite way over to the right of the old one. New bunkering on 8, much more interesting use of the wetland in front of the 6th, and - THE KICKER  - the removal of the HUGE bunker on the Par 3 4th - 'The Gowden Beastie' - now more The Green 'Kidd'er! (I don't think Mr N will be too happy).
Lots more to be done I believe over the coming years. Who knows, maybe it will equal the Kings one day...

FBD.

PS JK - wash your mouth out with soapy water, man - you know how good Scottish Parkland courses are!!!