You know, Kyle Harris's thread "Roundtable Discussion #1" is a whole lot of food for thought in the five questions it asks for answers on to be discussed later.
Looking at them I don't think I'm ready to even offer answers on any of them right now. In other words, I'd like to take much more time to think about them all.
But #5 got most of my attention:
"5. What do you believe are the most common misconceptions about the importance and concepts of golf architecture?"
For some reason I couldn't stop thinking about that question.
I have no idea how apropos it is but the thing that popped into my head is how often so many people talk about what holes look like---eg how memorable looking they are etc. I don't hear people talk about how memorable holes actually play anywhere near as much as I hear them say how memorable holes look.
So, for some reason, I started thinking about this question:
"What are the most memorable looking first three holes on a golf course you've ever seen?
I thought about that for quite a while and I believe my impression is, and my answer would be, from seeing it first about 45 years ago and then seeing it again after about 40 years that I have never seen the first three holes on any golf course that are as memorable as are NGLA's. Perhaps not even close anywhere else.
Is it any wonder this course is so enduring, famous and revered in the world of architecture, particularly amongst architects? I've never seen or heard anyone say about NGLA---"Oh, it's just another course like so many others."
It obviously gets most everyone's attention out of the box in the way those first three holes "look"---eg they really are memorable that way.
But add to that the many different ways they play too and you have something that would almost have to appeal.
When I say the first three holes of NGLA are unusual looking I really mean they are just so different looking than any holes anywhere?
Sorry, Kyle, this is sort of a tangent off your really thoughtful thread and its five questions. I need more time to think about your questions.
Actually, there's no reason not to go on with NGLA as the first eight holes are pretty unusual looking from most anything else I've seen anywhere. And add to that most of the rest too.
Sorry, there's no question here----I'm just into a bit of free associating again. Kyle's good questions seems to have inspired that.