Yet the central model is alive and kicking, just look at the club scene in Scotland, take any small club, Moray with its one or two mowers , with the determination of The Green Keeper and his small staff, the great old courses are not only kept alive but function near as they were designed well over 100 plus years ago.
The Model has not changed but the expectation of the modern golfer has - he expect things to some to him instead of getting involved and working on his mind and game.
No, the fundamental game is still there and in good health, its not been killed or slowly strangled by the desire to win but of taken part, of trying to do ones best and thus enjoying the experience. After all that’s why we play golf in the first place – or is it all about money, taking the Judas trail, seeking the pot at the end of the Rainbow, if so, you will be very disappointed as no money was ever paid or found.
We do not need bling, fake aging, or over cultivated and spoilt courses set at just the right colour Green, nor do many of us want to pay for such things, preferring the original natural landscape of the surrounding, of being part of the environment and echo system that is at home in that part of the world. I do not like template courses or for that matter clones that mirror on'se Hilton Hotel room no matter which part of the world one is in.
Screw with the principle of GCA and you end up with housing complexes, island Greens, all there but in doing so has totally compromised the game of Golf. – yet golf is still alive in the club scene of Old Scotland and I am not referring to The Castle Course, Kingsbarn or Castle Stuart to name but a few.
The question is how long are we going to keep selling our golfing souls to the Men of Money who appear devoid of any interest in the game (except from what they can squeeze from it). I also question the intention of some of the big Design Houses owned by past Champions who provide their services to these Men of Destruction ofr the game of Golf.
But then again you may not agree, which is only right on a DG
Melvyn
PS Trust that I have not embarrassed anyone, if I have - tough, currently even in England I am allowed to voice my opinion although if we leave it to the lawyers and solicitors that precious right may be taken away because they do not agree that others are entitled to that most fundamental of Human Rights.
