Frank (Sandy) Tatum on bunkers!

[Mark_Fine]

Just received a nice letter from Frank (Sandy) Tatum.  I thought I would share a portion of his comments in it with everyone:

"The book Bunkers, Pits & Other Hazards, effectively focuses on the fundamental hazard element of the game.  As that element has evolved, particularly in this country, the game has suffered.  Sand bunkers, perfectly groomed for sand and surface consistency, have become havens rather than hazards.  As Pete Dye's forward in your book implies, this development has influenced the proliferation of artificial water hazards which clutter up the golf landscape in this country.

Apropros I was encouraged to note that at the Memorial furrow raking reverted sand bunkers from havens to hazards.  There is at least a ray of hope, therefore, for a revival of sand bunkers as hazards."

Forrest and I have been getting some great letters and comments back like this about the book.  If guys like Frank Tatum speak up, maybe it will help to get people thinking about bunkers in a different light.  It is very encouraging.  

[TEPaul]

Sandy Tatum is a most impressive voice but one that is not being listened to or respected as it should be by the current administrators of the game.

When it comes to the effectiveness of bunkering in golf to achieve what it was there to originally accomplish there are only two real options;

1. To make it architecturally more effective.
2. To make it more effective by making the sand surfaces more "iffy" and unpredicatable.

To accomplish #1 with existing golf courses would be prohibatively expensive. To accomplish #2 would actually be a cost savings.

Unfortunately, neither solution seems to be acceptable in a playability sense to golfers today.

[Joel_Stewart]

Apropros I was encouraged to note that at the Memorial furrow raking reverted sand bunkers from havens to hazards.  There is at least a ray of hope, therefore, for a revival of sand bunkers as hazards."

Mark:
Do you know if Muirfield Village is continuing to use the furrow raking for member play.  My guess is they are not.   Furthermore, I doubt if any private clubs are going to go these rakes.   Its not what members want!

[Joel_Stewart]

Sandy Tatum is a most impressive voice but one that is not being listened to or respected as it should be by the current administrators of the game.

Tom:

I've lost a lot of respect for Sandy Tatum over the last few years from what he did at Harding Park in San Francisco.  I do think he has some points regarding protecting the integrity of the game but his main focus over the last few years is building golf courses which he has failed at.

[TEPaul]

I thought Harding Park was considered to be a success.

I'm just trying to remember if most of the contributors to this board have ever considered any tournament to be a success.  

[Mike_Sweeney]

I thought Harding Park was considered to be a success.

I'm just trying to remember if most of the contributors to this board have ever considered any tournament to be a success.  

Joel,

Rather than a hit and run on a legendary name in golf, can you please provide some specifics to support your premise. If not, I request that you remove it.

Mark,

Sorry for the sidetrack. I appreciate you posting Sandy Tatum's comments. I met him briefly at Bethpage with my son. He questioned Dylan for a good 2-3 minutes on his golf progress. There is no faking his love for the game and his concern for the future of the game.

[ForkaB]

Mike

If we made everybody explain their hit and runs on this site, the Emperor would have to spend 24/7 typing out apologies and explanations!

As for Mr.Tatum, three courses he was involved with jump immediately to my mind--Spanish Bay, the Preserve and Harding Park.  The consensus on each seems to be "poster child for architectural underachievement."

[PThomas]

I see where Oakmont wants furrowed bunkers for the Open next year...but the USGA has not decided either way

[JESII]

Tom Paul,

You have a bit of clout in a regional golf association. I recommend you pick one of your organizations tournaments and run a test balloon of no rakes in bunkers during the tournament rounds. I will be playing in two of the three major events in that organization this year and would gladly support that decision.

[TEPaul]

"The consensus on each seems to be "poster child for architectural underachievement."

Richard the Magnificent;

Actually, Mr Sandy Tatum hisself told me that on each of his architectural projects he was summarily over-ruled by the architect of record to his everlasting disappointment.  

[TEPaul]

"Tom Paul,
You have a bit of clout in a regional golf association. I recommend you pick one of your organizations tournaments and run a test balloon of no rakes in bunkers during the tournament rounds. I will be playing in two of the three major events in that organization this year and would gladly support that decision."

Sully:

I'd be glad to. Just tell me which two of the three major events you'll be playing in. When about 140 players complain I'll be happy to tell them they can just take their petty little complaints and shove 'em because Jim Sullivan Jr told me to do it. I would appreciate if if you'd not only support the decision but also kindly stand between me and them when I tell 'em to take their complaints and shove 'em.  

[Joel_Stewart]

As for Mr.Tatum, three courses he was involved with jump immediately to my mind--Spanish Bay, the Preserve and Harding Park.  The consensus on each seems to be "poster child for architectural underachievement."

Thank you Rich, couldn't have said it better.  I will throw in Stone Tree in Marin as further proof and some of the work he did at Olympic Club while he was the green chairman before he quit to join SFGC.

[Mark_Fine]

I plan to send a letter at some point to the USGA with a summary of the many comments we've received about bunkers, maintenance costs, etc.  Some of the comments and the names behind them should make a strong statement.  We'll see what happens.

[Joel_Stewart]

Mark:

How are the sales of the book and how can we purchase it?

[Mark_Fine]

Joel,
The book is going to a second printing already which is great.  You can get the book on Amazon or just email me if you want copies.  
Mark

[ForkaB]

"The consensus on each seems to be "poster child for architectural underachievement."

Richard the Magnificent;

Actually, Mr Sandy Tatum hisself told me that on each of his architectural projects he was summarily over-ruled by the architect of record to his everlasting disappointment.  

Tom the Munificent

Are you angling for a USGA Committee appointment?  If so, let me know and I'll promise to keep my mouth shut in case any of the great and good of golf ask my opinion.

PS--how unlucky could Sandy have been--screwed by Jones, Fazio and then George?  What a bummer!  Maybe he should try working with pussycats like Doak in the future?

[JESII]

"Tom Paul,
You have a bit of clout in a regional golf association. I recommend you pick one of your organizations tournaments and run a test balloon of no rakes in bunkers during the tournament rounds. I will be playing in two of the three major events in that organization this year and would gladly support that decision."

Sully:

I'd be glad to. Just tell me which two of the three major events you'll be playing in. When about 140 players complain I'll be happy to tell them they can just take their petty little complaints and shove 'em because Jim Sullivan Jr told me to do it. I would appreciate if if you'd not only support the decision but also kindly stand between me and them when I tell 'em to take their complaints and shove 'em.  

It's a deal! I'd be happy to

Amateur at Moselem
Mid-Amateur at Applebrook