Chance 9 Holes with Bill Bergin

[Nick Church]

My home course is Fairvue Plantation in Gallatin, TN (northern neighbor of Nashville).

I started 9 holes after work today.  Since I was walking, a single caught up with me on the second hole.  I offered to let him play through after finishing the hole --- he birdied, I parred.  He offered to pair up.  He introduced himself as Bill Bergin.  He is the course architect.

Mr. Bergin is designing a second course at Fairvue, called Foxland.  He seems very proud of it since he had more control over the routing and design.  He also said the topography lent to better elevation change and challenges.

In short, he was very courteous and agreeable.  We took our time discussing the courses and golf architecture in general.  He was quite honest and forthright in his opinions.  After one such exchange, I felt obligated to tell him that I was a member of GCA --- just in case he wanted to edit himself (small joke).

I didn't realize that Mr. Bergin had played on the Euro and PGA Tours.  His game still seems very reliable and predictable.  He deflected all credit to recent sessions with a teacher in Atlanta (whose name escapes me, but he teaches Luke List and subscribes to "The Golf Machine" philosophy).  I was pleased to earn a couple birdies --- especially since I went "lost ball" and "water - left" on two other holes.

It was a thrill to have a relaxing conversation with a captive audience.  I certainly hope to have the opportunity again.

[mike_beene]

Lynn Blake?

[Tim Bert]

Hi Nick,

Welcome to the board!  That sounds like a really cool encounter.  I'm sure everyone here would love to meet up with any architect on one of their own creations.

I moved to Franklin about one year ago, so I'm still learning the golf in the area.  Is Fairvue a public or private course?  What's it like?

[A.G._Crockett]

I glad somebody else here has met Bill Bergin.  He is a very good friend of mine, and a very good GCA as well.  I'd highly recommend his course at Auburn, AL to anyone who can get there.  I was fortunate enough to play the Auburn course with Bill, and I learned more about GCA in that round than I can tell you.   He has also recently finished a renovation of the Chattanooga CC, a Ross course, that he is very excited about.  Michael Whitaker and I both hold a course named Woodfin Ridge in the Greenville, SC area in high regard as well.  I hope the day comes when Bill gets some national recognition for his work; I think it is very, very good.

Bill is still an excellent player; he's regained his amateur status and is competing again.  He is, I believe, the second youngest winner of the Georgia State Open after Bobby Jones, and then had an All-American career at Auburn followed by the pro career that you mention.

I believe the teacher that you are referring to is Danny Elkins of the Georgia Golf Center.  Danny is past president of the Georgia PGA, has been the Ga PGA Teacher of the Year in the past, and is still a competitive player.  He is also a co-owner of the Homer Kelley "Golf Machine" material, which is the teaching method he uses.  He works with Luke List and a number of other professionals as well, and he is one of the best I've seen.

[Nick Church]

Mr. Crockett --- thanks for the information.

I can vouch that Mr. Bergin is very excited about Chattanooga CC.  He urged me to play the course if ever given the opportunity.

To answer the earlier question --- Fairvue Plantation is private.  It was fun talking about the course with the architect.  We discussed shots as we walked to our next positions.  The older course is now known as the "Lakes" course.  I enjoy playing the course, in the 18 months since I joined I have not played anywhere else in Nashville.  That's rare for me since I was constantly travelling to area courses when I lived in Indianapolis.

All that said, Mr. Bergin really was enthusiastic about the quality of the new Foxland course.  (I believe it will open sometime next year --- maybe late spring).  I have purposely not toured the new course, because I didn't want to ruin the surprise or get too anxious for the course to open.  Bergin's enthusiasm certainly makes that much harder to resist taking a sneek peak, though.