Interesting read.
I for one, am a huge fan of The Old Course. Played Carnoustie, Lytham, and the Old Links. Fascinated by the
challenges presented that were so different than what I was raised on in the New Jersey/New York courses I grew up playing.
I am the third generation of golf professionals in my family. I for one sometimes get confused by what many may consider the
argument of the First Golden Age of Old Tom, and the Next Golden Age which produced the courses of Tillie, Dr MacKenzie, Donald Ross and others. My parents and grandfather raved about the history of the great courses of Scotland, but they included Turnberry and others to the places they treasured.
The love we had for Winged Foot, Mountain ridge, Garden City, Hollywood etc was never seen as an afront to the greatness of what came before them, but more an appreciation and next step in the spread of a great game. Much like Beethoven, Mozart, and other great classical composers gave way to generations of musical developments (good and bad), I can still get teary eyed listening to my daughter's orchestra playing a beautiful piece of classical music, and then take her to a Jacks Mannequin concert at House of Blues and enjoy both experiences.
My greatest golf experience was my week on the Old Course in 1995, but my trips around Kingston Heath and the sandbelt still make me long for returning to Melbourne. My rounds with my family at Deal G&CC in New Jersey, still make me smile, and remember how lucky I am to have the family I grew up with in this game. Music now marks how lucky and blessed I am with my wife and daughter now. I have had a blessed personal life in golf and music, and both of those generations are my own Golden Age. There is always room for more!!
Great article Melvyn