The Pritzker Prize for GCA

[Ira Fishman]

The new thread on the Golfweek Rankings reprise two frequent themes on this site:


1. Rankings are unreliable and/or irrelevant.


2. The analogy between GCA and Building Architecture.


Number 1 will be debated, disputed, and dissected forever.


Regarding Number 2, it struck me that although Buildings are not rated, Architects indeed are "rated" through the award of the Pritzker Prize for contributions to Architecture.  It goes to Architects who still are alive.  That would be too narrow/limited for GCA given how few new courses are being built.  However, if you included GCAs who are no longer with us, what would be the order of award winners based upon the full body of their work and the impact on GCA generally?  And why?

[Ronald Montesano]

"what would be the order of award winners based upon the full body of their work and the impact on GCA generally?  And why?"


Elaborate, please. I'm intrigued.


There are far fewer GCA than architects in general, so your award list would be finite, much quicker.

[Ira Fishman]

I am not sure that it would be much quicker. The range of GCAs probably is close to Building Architects in terms of worthy, memorable designs. Morris, Braid, Colt, Alison, MacKenzie, Ross, Langford, Fowler, Park,Simpson, Thomas, Bell, Tillinghast, Travis, MacDonald, Banks, Raynor, Crump, Fowner, Maxwell, Flynn, Wilson, Lee, Dye, RTJ, Weiskopf, Nicklaus, Coore, Doak, Hanse, Kidd, Steele, Hawtree, Strantz, etc matches up pretty closely in numbers and more importantly impact with the Pritzker Prize Winners. My original thought was if there were such a prize for GCAs, who should win first and why?

[Peter Pallotta]

Ira - this is just a guess, but I think one of  the reasons for the lack of uptake on this is because several years ago a series of posts by Ian Andrew on his website provided as comprehensive and detailed and rationalized list of the top 25 (I believe it was 25, it could have been more) architects of all time - with insights into their individual strengths and styles and finest courses. While nothing is ever the last word around here, Ian's series was as close to a last word as I can imagine. I don't think it was ever presented here as a single, unified mega list, but it was surely discussed. I'll see if I can find it.

[John Kavanaugh]

I am not sure that it would be much quicker. The range of GCAs probably is close to Building Architects in terms of worthy, memorable designs. Morris, Braid, Colt, Alison, MacKenzie, Ross, Langford, Fowler, Park,Simpson, Thomas, Bell, Tillinghast, Travis, MacDonald, Banks, Raynor, Crump, Fowner, Maxwell, Flynn, Wilson, Lee, Dye, RTJ, Weiskopf, Nicklaus, Coore, Doak, Hanse, Kidd, Steele, Hawtree, Strantz, etc matches up pretty closely in numbers and more importantly impact with the Pritzker Prize Winners. My original thought was if there were such a prize for GCAs, who should win first and why?

Funny that you didn't mention Crenshaw as he would most likely be the first recipient. He would fill the seats which is what most of these awards aspire to.

[Ira Fishman]

Ira - this is just a guess, but I think one of  the reasons for the lack of uptake on this is because several years ago a series of posts by Ian Andrew on his website provided as comprehensive and detailed and rationalized list of the top 25 (I believe it was 25, it could have been more) architects of all time - with insights into their individual strengths and styles and finest courses. While nothing is ever the last word around here, Ian's series was as close to a last word as I can imagine. I don't think it was ever presented here as a single, unified mega list, but it was surely discussed. I'll see if I can find it.

I should have asked if there were a prior thread. Look forward to finding it.

[Peter Pallotta]

I haven't had much luck in a quick search, Ira. But I went to Ian's blog-site (http://ianandrewsgolfdesignblog.blogspot.ca/) and found the series I was looking for....geez, a "few years ago" was actually 7! I'm gonna spoil the ballot, and report the 10 Top (Golden Age) architects from Ian's list:

1. Mackenzie
2. Colt
3. Tillinghast
4. CBM
5. Thomas
6. Ross
7. Thompson
8. Raynor
9. Old Tom Morris
10. Maxwell

[Sean_A]

I still believe Ian's list is too heavily weighted with predominantly North American archies.


Ciao

[Matt MacIver]

I can only echo Peter's comments on Ian's excellent blog and post, I learned a lot and realize I need to go back and reread it again.