Minimalists -- Are there differences?

[Bill Brightly]

TD,

Would you be collaborating on all 36 holes, or each building an 18 hole course like Bandon?

[Eric Smith]

Did you hear the collective SCHWING of GCA'ers reading Tom's post?

absolutely!

[Tom_Doak]

Eric:

I would love to work with Pete Dye on a project again someday, although I would worry a bit about whether I could hold up my end of the bargain.  But it would be a great thing for everybody else who works with me to learn directly from the master.

One of my former associates Sara Mess is back in school getting her Master's degree at Ball State, and asked Mr. Dye if he would come out and talk to her design class a little bit when they made a visit to Crooked Stick.  He talked to them on site for about two hours, about how different the golf course was in 1964 when he built it to now, and what sorts of things he is doing to try to combat Tour pros and technology.  After that, my visit to their class the other night was probably a letdown!

Bill:

We don't know the answer to your question yet.  It depends on what we figure out for the two routings, and whether we are both comfortable with taking a different half as our own.  It's possible we would collaborate on the whole thing, but we haven't agreed to do that yet, and we're not sure that's what the client would want, anyway.  But we HAVE TO collaborate on the routings in order to figure out where to go from there.

[Eric Smith]

Thanks for your answer Tom.  Wouldn't it be something for you two, former master and apprentice to come back 20 some odd years later to do a project.  And I would have to bet that Mr. Dye would enjoy the opportunity to possibly learn a thing or two from you this time around.

[Michael Blake]

And I would have to bet that Mr. Dye would enjoy the opportunity to possibly learn a thing or two from you this time around.

Really?  I think I'd have to take that bet.  Is there really anything else Pete could learn?  From anybody?  I could be wrong though. Interesting if Tom has an opinion he'd like to share.

[Tom_Doak]

I think Mr. Dye would be interested in some of the things we do differently than he does.

I don't necessarily think he would LEARN very much, nor even agree with my take on those things.  But you never know.

[David_Elvins]

I can now say with confidence that often he sees different things than I do, or perhaps it's better to say his routings are driven by different things than mine, since we are both seeing the same features but using them much differently.

Tom,

are you able to expand on this at all with a few examples of how you would see different uses for the same features? 

[Tom_Doak]

David:

Not sure that I should give away all of Bill's secrets, especially within a week of learning them myself!

Maybe down the road a ways.

[David_Elvins]

David:

Not sure that I should give away all of Bill's secrets, especially within a week of learning them myself!

Maybe down the road a ways.

I thought so, but it was worth a try! thanks.

[Michael Blake]

I think Mr. Dye would be interested in some of the things we do differently than he does.

I don't necessarily think he would LEARN very much, nor even agree with my take on those things.  But you never know.

Thanks Tom.  I think you're right about the 'learning' part.  And I didn't even think about the process part.  I'm sure he'd be interested in your thought process on routings, what features you pay attention to and why, and how you operate in the field.  But you never know.