Who Are You Guys(revisited)?

[Peter Sayegh]

Ran granted me access to GCA in 2006 even though I had (still don't) any "credentials." I enjoyed the site and wanted the opportunity to ask questions.
I avoided this post because I couldn't (still can't) sniff the knowledge/experience/"status" of those who contributed here since then.

Peter Sayegh
Myrtle Beach, SC.
55 years old.
Handicap: my iron game.


Grew up on Jersey Shore and played any course with public access. Lived next door to MRGC.

Went to college in L.A. Played only Brookside and Arroyo Seco. Like others, I was a poor, working student.

Still exploring the Myrtle Beach courses I have yet to visit.

I've been a "member in residence" at Pinehurst for three years now. I consider myself very blessed (lucky).

[Jonas Peter Akins]

Name: Jonas Peter Akins
[/size]Age: 45
[/size]Residence: Wallingford, CT
[/size]Occupation: Teacher
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[/size]I’ve been reading the site for about a decade and Ran blessed me with a login about two years ago.  Before I start asking questions about HJ Whigham and three hole loops, it seems fair to tell all of you a little about myself.
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[/size]Growing up, I played at Dedham Country and Polo Club, back when it was still an “Alex. Findlay" and founded in either 1922 or 1910.  I haven’t played it since the Silva work, but I’m planning to walk it this coming weekend.  My parents were also part of the group that started Farm Neck on Martha’s Vineyard, where I’m now chair of the Grounds Committee.  The front nine is a Geoffrey Cornish and Bill Robinson, while the back was designed by one Patrick Mulligan, who seems to have designed no other courses.  We are just about at the midpoint of a renovation to bring the two nines closer together architecturally, to address some persistent issues with our bunkers, and improve the strategic value of most, if not all, of the holes.  Mark Mungeam and MAS Construction have been wonderful partners, along with our phenomenal team, including GM Tim Sweet, head pro Don Costello, and superintendent Andrew Nisbet, in the project.  It’s been a lot of fun and the membership, and our public players, seem to have enjoyed the improvements to the front nine.  Hopeful for similar excitement about the back. 
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[/size]The property itself has had golf played on it since at least 1897, when Alex. Findlay laid out the Cottage City Golf Club.  Our current 14th, the old 2nd, has been in almost continuous use as a golf hole through that time.  There is also a Pinehurst connection through the Tufts family, who originally spent time on Martha’s Vineyard, before decamping to North Carolina.  More to come in an article I’ve prepared for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum Quarterly, formerly the Dukes County Intelligencer.
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[/size]When I’m not dreaming of life on the shores of Sengekontacket Pond, I teach history and government, coach football and golf, and run a dorm at Choate Rosemary Hall, a boarding school in Wallingford, CT.  Our home courses are Wallingford CC and Lyman Orchards and we get to play Watertown CC, Keney Park, Hotchkiss, and Farmington Woods most regularly on the JV circuit.  It’s a lot of fun and I like to think the boys are starting to pick up a few architectural details here and there.
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[/size]Thank you for all of the insights you’ve been willing to share through the years, including Mike Cirba and, especially, Bob Crosby, who has helped me with a little project on "the greatest golf course never built," a Joshua Crane story that I’m still trying to pull together.  If you’re ever on Martha’s Vineyard in the summer and want to see Farm Neck, please don’t hesitate to be in touch!

[Matt Schoolfield]

Name: Matt Schoolfield
Age: 43
Current Residence: San Francisco, CA
Hometown: Austin, TX
Occupation: Python Dev, Equity/VC Investor, Failed Academic
Handicap: not good, intentionally don't care about it.
Best golf stories: sat across from Ben Crenshaw twice at El Patio in Austin in the early '00s (didn't bother him either time because he was with family), witnessed a hole-in-one that ricocheted off a tree.

My grandfather was a San Antonio CC member (I have his persimmons), but dad didn't like the game, so I grew up having no idea about it until my late friend Patrick introduced me to it right after high school (our last round together after the chemo was at Jimmy Clay because he didn't want to deal with the slow pace-of-play at Lions 😅, and I was never once able to beat him without strokes).

I would be lying if I didn't admit that golf was a big reason I chose grad school at Edinburgh Scotland, though I mostly played at the local munis (Silverknowes and Carrick Knowe), my time there was punctuated by many trips to St Andrews, and my love for the New Course there endures.

I think my biggest influence is in golf architecture is Tom Simpson's The Architectural Side of Golf, but I really loved When Revelation Comes, by Jim Hartsell (a book that has desperately not received the attention it deserves, you should buy a copy).

The course I most want to visit is The Loop (and plan to spend a week there at some point in the next couple years), before that it was the Lido, which I was graciously invited to this year, before that the Old Course, which I managed. Perhaps one day Ballyneal.

I think integrity is more important than reputation. I want to leave this place better than I found it. Life is short, so enjoy the round you're playing. I think vintage clubs from the red tees are more fun than modern clubs from the blacks.

Anyone interested in a round in the Bay Area, do reach out. I will make time for it.

[Michael Graham]

Name: Matt Schoolfield
Age: 43
Current Residence: San Francisco, CA
Hometown: Austin, TX
Occupation: Python Dev, Equity/VC Investor, Failed Academic
Handicap: not good, intentionally don't care about it.
Best golf stories: sat across from Ben Crenshaw twice at El Patio in Austin in the early '00s (didn't bother him either time because he was with family), witnessed a hole-in-one that ricocheted off a tree.

My grandfather was a San Antonio CC member (I have his persimmons), but dad didn't like the game, so I grew up having no idea about it until my late friend Patrick introduced me to it right after high school (our last round together after the chemo was at Jimmy Clay because he didn't want to deal with the slow pace-of-play at Lions 😅, and I was never once able to beat him without strokes).

I would be lying if I didn't admit that golf was a big reason I chose grad school at Edinburgh Scotland, though I mostly played at the local munis (Silverknowes and Carrick Knowe), my time there was punctuated by many trips to St Andrews, and my love for the New Course there endures.

I think my biggest influence is in golf architecture is Tom Simpson's The Architectural Side of Golf, but I really loved When Revelation Comes, by Jim Hartsell (a book that has desperately not received the attention it deserves, you should buy a copy).

The course I most want to visit is The Loop (and plan to spend a week there at some point in the next couple years), before that it was the Lido, which I was graciously invited to this year, before that the Old Course, which I managed. Perhaps one day Ballyneal.

I think integrity is more important than reputation. I want to leave this place better than I found it. Life is short, so enjoy the round you're playing. I think vintage clubs from the red tees are more fun than modern clubs from the blacks.

Anyone interested in a round in the Bay Area, do reach out. I will make time for it.

Welcome Matt,


Not many (if any ever) mentions of Carrick Knowe or Silverknowes here on GCA. I played both often when I was growing up and wanted a change from the Braids (Braid Hills). Silverknowes must be one of the few golf course/motocross mash-ups in the world. Both will have given you a good flavour of the Edinburgh most visitors or even students miss out on.


Michael