On another thread Tom Doak suggested, "I still feel as before, that the best things architect societies could do is to come up with a short list of courses which ought to be preserved as the best examples of that architect's work, and perhaps another short list of courses which it would be important to restore. This would OF COURSE be non-binding on clubs, but making the list SHORT and making the clubs on it SPECIAL would be the key to making it significant. And architects who were still alive could keep their own small list, for future generations to consider..."
This is simply too good a suggestion to let pass by. I think this has merit and should be given much thought. Still there are some problems with implementing the idea and I thought it might be worth discussing how to overcome them.
For example, take the suggestion to "come up with a short list of courses which ought to be preserved as the best examples of that architect's work..."
In discussing Tilly's work which courses would these be? Even among what are recognized as his greatest works, examples of major changes have taken place. Tom is quite familiar with this at the San Francisco Golf Club where he was called into restore holes lost years ago. Baltusrol, both Upper and Lower, the site of numerous national championships, has been altered through the years as has Winged Foot and others.
So for some architects, it may be important to identify not just courses but individual holes of import.
Still, the work of protecting must begin somewhere and so, as Tom has suggested, here are 7 courses by Tilly that I believe MUST be preserved as they represent examples of his finest work. They are in no particular order and I represent my own personal belief and not that of the Tillinghast Association. Despite limiting it to 7 I feel strongly that other courses could and should be included as well:
1- San Francisco Golf Club
2- Baltimore CC - 5 Farms
3- Bethpage Black
4- Somerset Hills
5- Fenway
6- Winged Foot West
7- Quaker Ridge
My reasons for choosing these are my own and in some cases would probably surprise you. Yet all share one thing in common in my mind; despite renovations and/or restorations done on them over the years, they all maintain the qualities that Tilly designed in each of their holes. One could expect to find Tilly himself walking out on them on a quiet afternoon.
Tom also suggested "perhaps another short list of courses which it would be important to restore..."
Here are 7 of Tilly's, again based solely upom my own ideas of to what and why they need restoration:
1- Shawnee
2- Baltusrol Lower
3- Bethpage Blue
4- Tulsa CC (one is planned)
5- Newport CC
6- Johnson City CC
7- Capital City CC (one is planned without which the club may have to fold)
Any comments on this or how about furnishing your own on Tilly or another architect.