Name: Peter Gannon[/size]Age: 43Married with 1 DaughterCurrent City: New York City and East Hampton, NYProfession: Advertising Music Supervisor Index: 6.2Home Course: Bethpage & Montauk DownsFavorite Courses Played: Pinehurst no 2, Mid Pines, Bethpage Red, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, LACC(North)Wish List: National Golf Links of America, North Berwick, Royal Dornoch, TOC
Hello GCA! Thank you Ran for adding me to the Group. I am another long time reader, but am excited to join in! Golf Club Atlas is truly unique, and hope it stays strong for many years!
My first introduction to golf was in the Pocono Mountains, but at age 10 my family moved us to Corpus Christi, Texas. I alternated my golf from the scrubby dunes of Padre Island Country Club (defunct) to the now dormant Kings Crossing Country Club (Bill Coore) and the inland, parkland Corpus Christi Country Club (RTJ Sr) My dad was in the catering business, so I worked the range, bag rooms, and occasional loop.
I went to the University of North Texas, where I worked at Eagle Point Golf Club for David Foster who was the UNT Men's Golf Coach. Yup, Eagle Point is now gone, as well. There might be a pattern here.
Years as a starving artist living in NYC kept me away from the game, but after entering a career in Advertising, I returned to playing. I lived in Portland, OR in 2011, and during that time played the courses at Bandon Dunes for the first time. Being a history minor, I was compelled to find out who the "MacDonald" in Old MacDonald referred to, and the course, and homage hooked me.
Today, I remain fascinated with aspects of design in respect to environments courses are built. How wind is considered, how to alter one's play; whether to hit a 5 iron high 175yds, or punch a 5 iron 125yds into 35 mph wind. I get excited by courses with variety, and greens that ask me to position the approach a certain way.
I've learned much from reading Golf Architecture in America, the Confidential Guides, Brad Klein, the GCA Feature Interviews, this board, and Course Guides. I equate an architect's design to works of art, or great pieces of music, with every artists' voice, humor, and intent there to be discovered. In the US, the NYC area also fascinates me in regards to the growth of the game in parallel with societal forces. The Gold Coast to the People's Country Club. All rich with history, sociology, art, commerce, and commentary of the game's progress. My greatest hope is to learn more about the architects, and ideally contribute to Friends of Montauk Downs, and see the restoration of the 4th hole to once again being the first!
I have a curious mind and know I have a lot to learn, but willing to be teachable with questions along the way.
Thanks all!
Peter Gannon