[Chris Johnston]

Not selecting Tom or other "historians" to renovate Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

[JC Jones]

Not selecting Tom or other "historians" to renovate Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

And somehow UofM got it right.

[Niall C]

Niall, Are you questioning the "No" or the original question?

The reason the answer is no, is multi layered.

IMO, the fire hazard trumps any architectural justifications for it's existence.

The town of Bandon either burned down twice, or almost burned down twice. Mr. Keiser is attempting to a avoid an inevitable 3rd.

Adam,

Maybe I misinterpreted what Terry and Brad were saying but I took it they thought it a crime to remove the gorse. My view was that gorse is a living thing that takes over the course if unchecked therefore its no crime to either remove it or greatly chop it back on a periodic basis. I wasn't really thinking about the fire hazard element as far as I'm aware over here in the UK we don't really have that problem. Occasionally gorse will burn in a really hot summer but what usually happens is it comes back stronger as a result. The only way to completely get rid of the stuff seems to be to dig it out roots and all.

I'm not suggesting that is required in all or most situations but you definitely need to keep an eye on it.

Niall

 

[Melvyn Morrow]

No one else got the balls to write out a list of 10.

Do the rest of you have no opinions or just feeling totally indifferent?

Come on guys open your hearts and minds, as this is a great opportunity to pass on something of interest to the Golf Course Architects and hopefully get real constructive comments as to why we get what we get.

Melvyn

[Mac Plumart]

Melvyn...

I don't know if I can get a "good" list of 10 crimes and I am sure not all of them are in the 20th century, but I'll try.

1) Commercialization of the game of golf.  Golf courses being used as a lure to jack up real estate prices...which maybe is okay...but when the best land doesn't go to the course, this leads to a less than ideal golf course.

2)  Cart paths.  Ugly.  Invasive.  Not neccesary.

3)  Lengthening classic courses to combat technolgy.  This ruins the architects intent and orignal design, neutralizes hazards, and makes the approach shot into the green of a different variety than intended.

4)  Stimp meter fascination.  How many great greens have been FUBAR'd because people want them to run fast?  How many great greens could have been built if designers didnt' have to dumb down the slopes to accomodate 13+ stimps?

5)  Ignorant Greens committees.
6)  Over confident supers
7)  Reckless renovations

These all have the potential to ruin great architecture.  

8 )  Rakes.  Bunkers are hazards.  Not Zen Gardens that need to be manicured.

9)  Over use of water hazards.  Creeks are usually cool.  Ponds get over done.

10)  Trees.  Cut'em down.  We need some wind!!

[Pete_Pittock]

Is this. happening at Bandon Dunes with the removal of the gorse?  (Kidd ourse)

Played Bandon Dunes course on Friday and I was intending to take pictures of the gorse removal. Had a veteran caddy and was playing with an ex-poster here on GCA . The 4th looked a little bare on both sides but we were pretty much on the fence if the gorse removal was good or bad. But as I got to the approach on the 5th hole I looked at the entirety of the dunes-scape and how the hole fit into the land. It looked natural and is a great fit. I was allowing a 12 years old memory infringe on good architecture. The removal of gorse on the left side of the 11th allows an alley of play left of the fairway bunkering and making a much better angle of approach along the green axis. 

Because of the fire hazards associated with gorse, the removal is okay with me. Yes, Bandon was partially burned in 1914 and later 10 people lost their lives when it was substantially destroyed in 1936.

And as we ae playing tomorrow in 30 mph winds gusting to near 50 I will be happy that the resort hs kept up their gorse removal progam.

[Jud_T]

As the hopeful winner of the Club Car Riding Golfer of the Year award let me answer:

Yes, no and no, respectively.  

The problem with caddies these days is they used to be kids (I grew up caddying) that you'd pay $20-$30 a round to carry ONE bag.  These days it is a pro-jock that costs $80-100 per bag and he double-bags, which adds 45mins to your round.


Shivas?  I didn't realize your hair was thinning and you'd developed a paunch...

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