Well, there is a great deal of information in Mark's post! Most exciting is the concept of an "open to the public" venue for all to enjoy, with the feature of memberships for those passionate and knowledgeable to appreciate this sort of unique destination golf and environment.
It seems that the new management team has tried to utilize the best of all characteristics of that most beautiful land tract that exists on Doc Trimble's ranch. With Tom Lehman concentrating on an all dunesland course I have great hopes that an excellent course will be routed and designed. With Graham Marsh using some of the sparse conifer areas near the rim, where great sand rolls run right up to the rim, one would think that Mr. Marsh would be able to equal the spectacular design ideas that he gave us at Sutton Bay. To top it off, one must think that there is some manner of harmony on the team with the inclusion of Geoff and Gil doing a unique short course.
As I said above, I certainly am not privy to what seems like a complex series of new alliances and re-organizations that must have taken place. It is wonderful to see Doc and Mr. Schock are described as great friends. This is very encouraging that the man I met (Doc) who had such passionate and loving care for the land, is on board with this re-organization.
It seems like a lot of entities are in the mix (Landscapes Unl., TMS Solutions, inhouse shapers of undisclosed previous work which is not to say they aren't experienced, and BC Const. for facilities). I hope that the actual numbers of entities and multiple visions doesn't get in the way of a simple golf centric vision in harmony with that amazing natural environment, with minimal disturbance of the most perfect of land qualities and terrain features that one could imagine.
But, we must look at Mark's recent success to appreciate the promise this project holds. Mark's role at Sutton Bay is one of the most classy, professional, and genuinely inviting and gracious facilities of world class golf I have ever experienced. This is not to say that Sand Hills GC or BallyNeal aren't of equal quality and character. In fact, in my observations all three of those venues have their own unique yet common characteristics of world class hosts, venues, facilities and down to earth friendliness. None of these three mentioned western prairie destinations are like some highly ranked venues back east and here in Midwest where they make you feel like you are merely being tolerated to play their 'overhyped' courses.
I didn't mention Dismal River as I know nothing about the club atmosphere or course quality other than meeting their very respectable and obviously knowlegeable super, who is a "believer".
Mark is a facilitator extraordinaire. His wealth of knowledge and experience from the Sutton Bay project is highly respectable and impressive. He has an energy that is infectious, and he makes you a "believer" in what he represents.
And that is my final point - the"believer' part. I hope that the other members of the "Believers Cup" comprised of great "prairie" golf course superintendents and club house managers and staffs who have started that tradition of a fall weekend ("When the Work's All Done in Fall" as the old cowboy refrain goes) where they celebrate and "believe" in how great the golf and environment is out there on the western prairie, immediately take Mark under their wing, and share the communal joy of what they do out there. It is really the most remarkable aspect of golf course management and worker professionals I have ever experienced. The pride across golf club venues (not rivalries but collegues) is the kind of pride that I know Mark has, and will bring to the Prairie Club project.
Good Luck Mark.
