Who was the architect, who, when one of his courses was praised to the High Heavens, apparently didn't admit to agreeing with that description but merely said he felt the course might be the least bad he ever did?
That's my kind of architect and remark.
Have you ever noticed how really good humor appropriately applied in golf architecture or about it may represent things that really endure?
That's why I love Brian Silva---eg he may be the funniest architect in the world.
If you call him up and ask him what he's been doing he may say something like he's spent the last several months in Maine designing and building the best 427sf ladies tee the world has ever seen or is ever likely to see.
Tom, the "least bad" quote is properly attributed to H.S, Colt, in referring to Swinley Forest.
I agree with you, the remark is appealing because of its self-deprecatory nature.
Tom Doak, who by the way is a hell of a good writer on GCA, provided further context for Colt's remark by saying that most golf architects would kill to have a course as good as Swinley on their resume.
Ken