I can see that not visiting the site for 15 hours has put me more than a bit behind!
Tom Macwood,
Let's get to your points first.
You firs quoted yourself stating, "Hosting modern major championships and redesign go hand and hand, and as a result his original designs have been compromised. What is your position on the redesign of his courses in preparation for major championships? Which is more important to the Association - preserving his original designs or hosting major championships?"
This was followed by part of my answer, "Let's answer the second question first. We have no stand on that as we don't recognize the premise of the question."
You then asked, "What do you mean you don't recognize the premise of the question?"
Tom, your premise contains the following statements presented as facts, NONE of which we accept as such, "as a result his original designs have been compromised..." That is your OPINION, as we disagree that his original designs have been COMPROMISED; they have not, and that is our opinion. Also, as this answer was given in response to the second question, "Which is more important to the Association - preserving his original designs or hosting major championships?", we do not recognize this as having any validity as a question whatsoever. Neither is "more important to the Association" and we will not be asked to CHOOSE simply because you ask us to.
In addition, we have been the biggest single aid to any & all Tillinghast courses in promoting the preservation of Tilly's work and providing research to enable proper restorations of it when asked... and we have been asked QUITE OFTEN!
You also asked another question that I am forced to repeat the preceding portion to it in order to put it into context and properly answer it:
Quoting me, "Actually, a better question, and feel very free to tell me that it isn't, is one that goes hand-in-hand with your first question. That is:
How would Tilly view minor changes to even complete changes on some holes on his courses for any reason, but especially in preparation for major championships?"
You stated and asked, "Minor changes? There have only been minor changes to Bethpage and Baltusrol? So if I am to read between the lines you are saying the Association does not object to redesign of Tilly's courses in preparation of major championships?"
Tom, not only can't you read between the lines you can't seem to even read the lines themselves! I ASKED A QUESTION OF TILLY! The question wasn't simply MINOR CHANGES but minor changes to EVEN COMPLETE CHANGES ON SOME HOLES..."
The point of that, and what followed directly after was to show that Tilly himself had APPROVED of making everything from MINOR CHANGES TO EVEN COMPLETE CHANGES TO HOLES ON HIS COURSES PRIOR TO THEIR HOSTING MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS."
Since Tilly himself approved of this in order to make the holes better then who are we to tell him he was wrong? That since Tilly was hired to examine and make recommendations for possible changes to courses prior to hosting major championships on courses that were not designed by him then objecting to other architects being hired for the same purpose on his courses would be a bit hypocritical.
Going further, you used the phrase "does not object to redesign of Tilly's courses..." Again, we don't recognize that "premise" behind your question. Again, as I stated previously, "minor changes to even complete changes on some holes..." DOES NOT CONSTITUTE the REDESIGN of a COURSE."
Again, you asked and stated and then asked, "How little the Lower course has actually changed? The bunkering has changed on every hole except 10, 12, 14 and 16. Do you have any idea why they haven't restored the HHA bunkers at #17?"
You really do need to learn the phrase "In My Opinion" as you once again have demonstrated that quality of pronouncing things as facts those that are simply your opinion, a quality that so endears you to many.
Tom, you need to get yourself a copy of the Baltusrol history book. One of those who worked on it, Bob Trebus, a member of Baltusrol since before you were born Tom, emailed me this in response to your question regarding the "Hell's Half Acre"
Bob - "What is he talking about? The bunkering at Baltusrol is pretty much as the original. The Hell's Half acre is still there. In fact plans are to let the grass grow as it was in its early days. The routing is intact... I note MacWood isn't even a member of the Association so how does he know what we do? Tell him to join and he will receive our emails that demonstrate all we do to assist clubs with their restorations..."
Of course you simply can't help yourself and must once again resort to insults that display your COMPLETE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE on the subject:
"Could the Tillinghast Association's laissez-faire attitude toward preserving his work be a result of the founding members coming from a golf course that is an established Championship site (Baltusrol)? Because of the experience at their home club they more readily accept redesign, and based on that history its difficult for them, and the Association, to be outspoken advocates for preserving his work."
"Laissez-faire attitude toward preserving his work?" You are VERY MISTAKEN and GRSOSSLY UNINFORMED!
"Because of the experience at their home club they more readily accept redesign, and based on that history its difficult for them, and the Association, to be outspoken advocates for preserving his work." This statement just once again shows how ignorant you are and how little you know.
You asked two questions of Jeff. "Jeff, I can understand why some architects would not be in favor of preservation, after all that could affect their livelihood, but the question is should the Tillinghast Association be in favor of preserving his work. If an organization formed to celebrate his work isn't in favor of it then who would be?"
Once again you display ignorance and lack of any knowledge on the subject.