Le Vrai Biarritz, et Autres Aventures au Pays Basque

[Niall C]

Stuart

My small amount of info agrees with you.

Biarritz turns up as a Colt and Co redesign in the firms ads at around 1924.

Re Hossegor

The club has always had Morrison credited on its website.  Although for a while they had it as "Jim" Morrison...a Doors fan probably wrote that.  So I guess they must have letters etc to support this.

But I have a note Sept 1931 from a magazine that gives credit to Alison.   This is from an article by Guy Campbell who visits the region and also reviews Chiberta (he likes it).

I'd also imagine that Colt would have at least visited given that he was at Chantaco around then.

Paul/Stuart

I have a photo from Golf Illustrated from 1925 showing a green under construction and in it you can just make out a group of people studying plans. The caption to the photo states its new holes or course (can't recall which) at Biarritz as designed by Tom Simpson. Unfortunately the photo isn't related to any article so there is no further info beyond whats in the caption. When I get the chance I'll send it on.

Niall

[Alfonso Erhardt]

Niall,

That should be Chiberta which opened in 1927-1928.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Niall,

That should be Chiberta which opened in 1927-1928.

Agreed, Chiberta as an area is virtually a 'suburb' of Biarritz.

[David Harshbarger]

Tom,

Is the 6th at Neguri representative of what is unique about Arana's architecture?  If so, is it emblematic of his approach?  From the way you and Alfonso describe and photo it, the hole's challenges are real yet subtle.  Is that a reflection of how top-notch players build challenge, dealing from an understanding of what makes for a real challenge for the best?

Thanks, Dave

[Niall C]

Alfonso/Tony,

Given Chiberta opened 1927/1928, isn't a 2 year construction programme quite a long period for back then ? I'll ping on the photo's and hopefully one of you can post and maybe even help identify the green although in truth the photo is at the clearing stage so not much by way of shaping to help.

Niall

[Tom_Doak]

Tom,

Is the 6th at Neguri representative of what is unique about Arana's architecture?  If so, is it emblematic of his approach?  From the way you and Alfonso describe and photo it, the hole's challenges are real yet subtle.  Is that a reflection of how top-notch players build challenge, dealing from an understanding of what makes for a real challenge for the best?

Thanks, Dave

David:

I would hesitate to use a single hole as representative of any architect's work, but this one does fit well with Arana's mantra.  It's pretty simple in construction -- even the green is pretty much laying on the ground -- but he didn't do anything to "help the golfer" either visually or in the shaping of the green.  It just falls slightly away and out of sight so that only a well struck shot will stay anywhere near where it lands.

[Paul_Turner]

Niall

2 years was about the norm back then.

[Alfonso Erhardt]

Tom,

That is a pretty good description that I would say fits very well with Arana's philosophy. Would never have found the words to put it so clearly!!!

Thanks!