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Bill Brightly

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What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« on: April 07, 2010, 09:51:28 PM »
Would world history have been changed?

In the Evangelist of Golf, George Bahto included an interesting quote from Scotland's Gift. It seems Macdonald had been encouraged to build in Cuba, but he chose Bermuda instead.

So I have ben thinking that history might be totally different if Macdonald had gone to Cuba! He certainly could have found a great links site to build a great golf course. A resort would have followed. More wealhty Americans would have traveled to Cuba for their winter vacations. Capatilism woud have taken a stronger hold in the 1920's. Maybe strong enough that Castro's eventual takeover would never have happened.

Tom MacWood

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2010, 10:06:41 PM »
I don't think history would have changed all that much considering the revolution occurred long after he was dead. One of Ross's greatest and earliest designs was CC of Havana, and although its demise was a great loss I don't think it had an affect on history.

Nick Campanelli

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2010, 10:18:50 PM »
I'm glad he chose Bermuda over Cuba.  Mid Ocean is one hell of a course.

If he had gone to Cuba, and things evolved as they did, the course would probably not exist anymore.  I dont know if one golf course could alter tourism trends and influence the political landscape of a country...no matter how great the design.  

....some eye candy from Mid Ocean.
Landscape Architect  //  Golf Course Architect

Bill_McBride

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2010, 10:28:16 PM »
Great course but maybe the worst Eden of all.

PCCraig

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2010, 08:35:27 AM »
Nick...thanks for the great pics.

God, what a fantastic hole 18 is from the 2nd tee box! There are few tee shots as dramatic as that after an evening round with the sun setting.
H.P.S.

Nick Campanelli

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2010, 09:08:19 AM »
Pat,

The 2nd tee box was used for the 18th tee during the Grand Slam of Golf in 2008.  The hole played as a par 5....kind of odd.  Makes one hell of a tee shot though.
Landscape Architect  //  Golf Course Architect

Bill Brightly

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2010, 10:02:58 AM »
I don't think history would have changed all that much considering the revolution occurred long after he was dead. One of Ross's greatest and earliest designs was CC of Havana, and although its demise was a great loss I don't think it had an affect on history.

Tom,

Implicit in my theory is the idea that Macdonald would have brought all his wealthy friends to Cuba to play his gem. Those guy were the titans of American industry  with the financial resources to completely transform a small country like Cuba if they were so inclined. The roots of capitalism would have been so much deeper. I don't know too much about Ross and his friends, did he have that kind of potential power?

Mike Hamilton

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2010, 10:46:06 PM »
Bill:

I think it is very doubtful that one golf course and a few more wealthy Americans would have changed Cuban history.

It is important to note that at the time of the revolution, Cuba was actually relatively economically advanced.  But, Cuban history and the events leading up to the revolution are complicated.  They are confusing in retrospect, and were certainly confusing to the US at the time....the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations both struggled with what to do with Castro.  Batista was corrupt and the US imposed restrictions on his regime, helping lead to his downfall.  The US also initially recognized Castro's government.

So given all that, one has to question what would a group of rich golfers have done to change all that and when they would have taken action.  It is doubtful they would have paid much attention before or during the Batista regime, and it is also doubtful they would have taken any action to prevent his overthrow.  For the US government, private enterprise, the mob, etc...Castro's intentions only became clear months after the revolution...and I think many believe just after the revolution Castro himself was somewhat "winging" it so even those around him weren't sure what path he would take.  I believe it was about six months after the revolution that the US decided to start plotting his downfall and obviously haven't been successful for half a century.

fyi....An interesting biography is Fidel by Tad Szulc. 

Jon Spaulding

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Re: What if Mid Ocean was built in Cuba?
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2010, 12:25:11 AM »
Perhaps Fredo and Johnny Ola could have played it.
You'd make a fine little helper. What's your name?