Fazio's presentation centered around Fazio himself, but not so much about his architecture and design practices. I expected to learn a little about his tendency to vertically shape fairways to acheive a dished-out sort of look. Instead he denied having any real tendencies at all.
He has a large family who means a great deal to him. He does not to spend more than twenty (20) evenings a year away from his family. He therefore will entertain only one west coast job every couple of years. All his children are now in college or older, one of which works for him. He pays his many employees well.
He revealed a couple of inconsistencies. On the one hand, he once again reiterated that he did not study the classic architects, yet on the other hand he said that he enjoys analyzing the "routings" of many of the great old courses. [He believes routing is crucial, and has one hundred percent control over the routing of his designs. He said that he will never tire of the creative aspects of routing a plot of land, even if it is a parking lot] Nevertheless, Fazio claims that Mackenzie erred in finishing Cypress away from the ocean with its anti-climatic par 4. He said he would have routed Pebble Beach so that the middle holes would run from left to right with the ocean along the left. This configuration would be more demanding for the great golfer and not as penal for the mid-handicapper. He admitted that Pine Valley is the only course he does not think he can improve. Thus, he must study the routing of the classics.
Secondly, Fazio was questioned whether he utilized a player for "shot values" when designing a course, just as MacKenzie designed Augusta based upon the shots of Bobby Jones? Fazio denied ever using such a player for assistance; however, later he described how he asked a kid, who was ultra-long, to bomb drives on hole 18 at Augusta to get an accurate read as to where he needed to extend the tee and/or move the bunkers.
I got the feeling that Fazio actually does study the classic architects and their practices, but simply will not acknowledge such. Perhaps its his ego, I don't know?
Although Fazio has 18 courses in Golfweek's Top 100 Modern, Fazio claims that he knows of at least 30 other courses which he has designed that are better than the 18 on the list.
He further claimed that some of his clients are too hung up on the adage that a "great golf course requires you to use all the clubs in your bag". A Merion member hired Fazio to design a course for him. This client was too concerned that this course would not be 'great' because it lacked length variety. Fazio claimed that he asked his client whether he thought Merion was a great course. He affirmed emphatically. Then, he asked this client how many eight irons he typically hit on the approaches at Merion. Knowing the answer would be a half dozen or so, Fazio said, the client got his point!
The Shadow Creek story was fascinating!
In the end, although I do not often agree with Fazio, I do not fault him for what he has become in the design business either. There is big money out there, and evidently he has the name and the product that people want. I like his designs while I'm playing them, I just don't remember them after I leave. I just don't think he should be hired to restore or alter classic courses. But remember, that is not his fault that memberships are running for his services. They certainly know what they are NOT going to get!