A Ryter-Does Budersand have a tight, walkable routing? (I see a walking bag in the photos) Is any housing in the plans around the course? How far away is the club from Hamburg and Berlin?
Tom-You were quite candid although you were a bit evasive regarding the equipment question but when Huggan circled around a 2nd time you offered your opinion that you would not change the golf ball but rather would return to wooden clubs.
I really appreciated your explanation regarding how the lack of excellent courses in the 1950s-1970s was in large part due to the depression years of 1930-1947 resulting in the young associates who helped create the masterpieces of the 1920s and 1930s getting out of the business in order to pay their bills which left a vacum of golf course architects when the boom returned in the 1950s and that allowed guys like RTJ Sr to dominate the design business.
Makes me wonder if the US experiences another 15-20 year slow growth golf era, will the current talented you associates today be around to build designs in the 2030s or will they move on to other careers?
You also praised Ben Crenshaw for differentiating himself from other golf pros by associating himself with a true professional architect like Bill Coore and also respecting that partnership by putting Coore's name first on the masthead.
Given that Golf World targets an European readership, is there a reason you did not discuss your potential Bordeaux and Spain projects much less the Renaissance Club?
I would send you the article but I intentionally left the magazine with your interview folded outward in the locker room of one of the clubs you consult for in Northern California this weekend (hopefully you will encourage them to put less water on the fairways, drives were stopping within a foot of their landing despite no recent rain).
Funny how when they listed your top courses, Pacific Dunes was not mentioned!
Bill,
I walked it, it's my bag on the photos. As far as i recall its a very easy walk. Regarding housing, the Hotel and clubhouse is just next to the course besides that i think you'll only see housing on one or two holes, houses build before the coures. (played the course a few years back, things might have changed)
Budersand is on the German Island Sylt off the north-western coast, it's closest to Hamburg but not exactly close. 300-400km i guess and the ferry or train to get to the island.