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John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« on: April 22, 2017, 11:54:13 AM »
Sweetens Cove was recently named #59 on GolfWeek's top 100 courses built since 1960. Oddly, the only course without architectural attribution. Interesting in that this begs the question why? Why do you think? I have far too many personal connections to both the course and affordable great golf to speculate myself. You all know what I'm thinking anyway. Am I alone on this one?

Rob Collins

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2017, 12:40:43 PM »
It was an honest editing mistake. The club has been in touch with Bradley about it. They're working to get it fixed. Pretty funny though...especially given the highly unique birthing process for the course.
Rob Collins

www.kingcollinsgolf.com
@kingcollinsgolf on Twitter
@kingcollinsgolf on Instagram

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2017, 12:44:23 PM »
Tough to charge raters $250 to play 9 hole daily fee courses. Congrats on the first step.

Rob Collins

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2017, 01:05:25 PM »
Your numbers are off. We charge raters $2,500 to play the course.
Rob Collins

www.kingcollinsgolf.com
@kingcollinsgolf on Twitter
@kingcollinsgolf on Instagram

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2017, 01:13:47 PM »
Rob,


My poor English excused, I was referencing the $250 GolfWeek charges golfers to be raters. Your low cost excellent architecture model flies in the face of their demographic. Combined with being a daily fee course in Tennessee this could signal an end to one of GolfWeek's primary profit centers. Rater fees, advertising revenue, promoting famous architects and developers. It's all tied together.

Jay Mickle

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2017, 02:35:01 PM »
Rob,


My poor English excused, I was referencing the $250 GolfWeek charges golfers to be raters. Your low cost excellent architecture model flies in the face of their demographic. Combined with being a daily fee course in Tennessee this could signal an end to one of GolfWeek's primary profit centers. Rater fees, advertising revenue, promoting famous architects and developers. It's all tied together.
Why would anyone not wish to play courses like Sweetens Cove on a regular basis. Played 9 holes 3x around because that was all I had time for.
@MickleStix on Instagram
MickleStix.com

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2017, 03:53:52 PM »
Jay,


Sweetens is a dream come true for any golfer. I would love to see many more courses just like it make the GolfWeek top 100. A perfect example on the classic side is Swope Memorial. Sadly at public and under $40 it doesn't fit the modern magazine profit profile.


Classic is a tougher sell. I'd honestly put Swope in the 170's just for credibility issues.

Mike Sweeney

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2017, 04:41:28 PM »

Classic is a tougher sell. I'd honestly put Swope in the 170's just for credibility issues.


Swope is on the GW State list for Missouri:


http://golfweek.com/2017/04/19/golfweeks-best-best-golf-courses-you-can-play-in-each-state/
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2017, 07:10:04 PM »

Classic is a tougher sell. I'd honestly put Swope in the 170's just for credibility issues.


Swope is on the GW State list for Missouri:


http://golfweek.com/2017/04/19/golfweeks-best-best-golf-courses-you-can-play-in-each-state/


As they proudly state on their website: http://www.swopememorialgolfcourse.com I hope I had a little something to do with that.

ward peyronnin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2017, 10:16:26 PM »
John

I am not that familiar with the rating game and it is true about GW promoting extracurricular revenue from raters. However consider that sponsored events do constitute an incentive for raters to go to the trouble of visiting courses not on everybody's bucket list and slogging and provide an opportunity to meed and exchange info and ideas. An initiation fee also raises a bar for people who are serious about joining the ranks.

But more than that why isn't a good thing that an SW( also Olde Towne and Morraine) made this list when I am very doubtful GD or Golf World will take notice
"Golf is happiness. It's intoxication w/o the hangover; stimulation w/o the pills. It's price is high yet its rewards are richer. Some say its a boys pastime but it builds men. It cleanses the mind/rejuvenates the body. It is these things and many more for those of us who truly love it." M.Norman

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2017, 10:34:05 PM »
Ward,


I think that it is both great and appropriate that Sweetens is recognized by the raters paying to tell us what they like. My issue is why GolfWeek fails to give Sweetens architectural attribution after a full week of the list being published. I don't think they want the public to know who designed the course. It just isn't in the magazines best interest. I get it, flying on private planes and hobnobbing with famous people is a great perk it what can be a difficult occupation. Rocky Top not withstanding.

Kyle Harris

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2017, 05:58:02 AM »
Ward,


I think that it is both great and appropriate that Sweetens is recognized by the raters paying to tell us what they like. My issue is why GolfWeek fails to give Sweetens architectural attribution after a full week of the list being published. I don't think they want the public to know who designed the course. It just isn't in the magazines best interest. I get it, flying on private planes and hobnobbing with famous people is a great perk it what can be a difficult occupation. Rocky Top not withstanding.

The small editing errors on the Golfweek list are both numerous and rather annoying.

For instance: Huntingdon Valley Country Club is in Abington, Pennsylvania  not Abingdon, Pennsylvania.

I think Kittansett is still strictly attributed to Fred Hood, as well, but I haven't checked that closely in awhile.

I watched the editor of the Golfweek's Architecture side write down we had Miniverde putting greens at Streamsong, and then five months later publish we had TifEagle.
http://kylewharris.com

Constantly blamed by 8-handicaps for their 7 missed 12-footers each round.

Thank you for changing the font of your posts. It makes them easier to scroll past.

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2017, 07:49:33 AM »
Kyle,


Being the only course without a name of an architect is not a small editing error. I'm sure it will get fixed today. How hard can correcting an internet feed be?


Maybe then someone would be interested in discussing what is the story of the year. A nine hole daily fee debuts above Sand Valley. Amazing!!! Three pages deep on the GolfWeek ratings thread and not a single mention. It's like TopGolf Vegas made the top 100 and no one noticed.

Mike Sweeney

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2017, 09:04:22 AM »
Kyle,


Being the only course without a name of an architect is not a small editing error. I'm sure it will get fixed today. How hard can correcting an internet feed be?


Maybe then someone would be interested in discussing what is the story of the year. A nine hole daily fee debuts above Sand Valley. Amazing!!! Three pages deep on the GolfWeek ratings thread and not a single mention. It's like TopGolf Vegas made the top 100 and no one noticed.


As a fan of Sweetens Cove from afar, I would prefer it to have no architect listed. I don't know the reality, but it seems like a "community" style project. Thus something like "SC Community" listed as the Architect would be cool in this modern era of Instagram Architects :)
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Ben Hollerbach

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #14 on: April 24, 2017, 09:40:16 AM »
Kyle,


Being the only course without a name of an architect is not a small editing error. I'm sure it will get fixed today. How hard can correcting an internet feed be?


Maybe then someone would be interested in discussing what is the story of the year. A nine hole daily fee debuts above Sand Valley. Amazing!!! Three pages deep on the GolfWeek ratings thread and not a single mention. It's like TopGolf Vegas made the top 100 and no one noticed.


As a fan of Sweetens Cove from afar, I would prefer it to have no architect listed. I don't know the reality, but it seems like a "community" style project. Thus something like "SC Community" listed as the Architect would be cool in this modern era of Instagram Architects :)


Mike,


I'm not sure Rob would agree with you on that one.

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2017, 09:51:34 AM »
Kyle,


Being the only course without a name of an architect is not a small editing error. I'm sure it will get fixed today. How hard can correcting an internet feed be?


Maybe then someone would be interested in discussing what is the story of the year. A nine hole daily fee debuts above Sand Valley. Amazing!!! Three pages deep on the GolfWeek ratings thread and not a single mention. It's like TopGolf Vegas made the top 100 and no one noticed.


As a fan of Sweetens Cove from afar, I would prefer it to have no architect listed. I don't know the reality, but it seems like a "community" style project. Thus something like "SC Community" listed as the Architect would be cool in this modern era of Instagram Architects :)


Eh?
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Rees Milikin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #16 on: April 24, 2017, 10:15:28 AM »
Kyle,


Being the only course without a name of an architect is not a small editing error. I'm sure it will get fixed today. How hard can correcting an internet feed be?


Maybe then someone would be interested in discussing what is the story of the year. A nine hole daily fee debuts above Sand Valley. Amazing!!! Three pages deep on the GolfWeek ratings thread and not a single mention. It's like TopGolf Vegas made the top 100 and no one noticed.


As a fan of Sweetens Cove from afar, I would prefer it to have no architect listed. I don't know the reality, but it seems like a "community" style project. Thus something like "SC Community" listed as the Architect would be cool in this modern era of Instagram Architects :)


No

Mike Sweeney

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #17 on: April 24, 2017, 11:19:14 AM »
I literally know nothing other than following SC on Facebook. As a fan of 9 hole courses and pretty pictures, my knowledge is limited to the "Vibe" that they have created online.


I would change the above, but I think it is still a complement to the place and the architect that it seems like a cool community club.



"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Adam Lawrence

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2017, 11:23:33 AM »
I literally know nothing other than following SC on Facebook. As a fan of 9 hole courses and pretty pictures, my knowledge is limited to the "Vibe" that they have created online.


I would change the above, but I think it is still a complement to the place and the architect that it seems like a cool community club.


It is a cool community club but given it's Rob and Tad's first course and they're trying hard to build a successful design business you can kinda see why not getting credit for their work might chafe a bit!
Adam Lawrence

Editor, Golf Course Architecture
www.golfcoursearchitecture.net

Principal, Oxford Golf Consulting
www.oxfordgolfconsulting.com

Author, 'More Enduring Than Brass: a biography of Harry Colt' (forthcoming).

Short words are best, and the old words, when short, are the best of all.

Ari Techner

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2017, 06:22:50 PM »
As someone with a little first hand knowledge of the situation I can say unequivocally that Rob Collins and Tad King aka King Collins Golf Course Design deserves 100% of the credit for the course. 


Also its downright shameful that Golf Week has still not corrected this error online.  As John said, this would literally take only a few minutes of someone's time and it's a HUGE omission for a couple guys who just got their first ever project into the Top 100.   

Mac Plumart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #20 on: April 24, 2017, 06:26:47 PM »
What in the world is going on here?


Sweetens is a gem...best nine holer in the USA (in my book).  Happy to see it make the Top 100.  I, personally, celebrate that.


But then we get this rambling about a conspiracy theory as to they Rob and Tad's names have been left off the list.  What?!?!


Seems like there was an error...a mistake...crazy to think that could happen.


Go play Sweetens Cove...enjoy...its awesome.
Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #21 on: April 24, 2017, 06:56:54 PM »
Attribution has been achieved.

Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #22 on: April 24, 2017, 08:00:49 PM »


Sweetens is a gem...best nine holer in the USA (in my book).  Happy to see it make the Top 100.  I, personally, celebrate that.



Better than Whitinsville?

john_stiles

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2017, 02:50:35 PM »
Having played both, I would say  Whitinsville is wonderful.  Likewise, Sweetens Cove is superb.

Whitinsville earns a big W for rating.


While Sweetens Cove earns a sweet enormous S.


You never know,  Chattanooga could host a raterpalooza, and Sweetens jumps up to  49.  Downtown Chattanooga has some nice spots where you could get low group rates at a hotel and charge a bunch on a package.

Grab some low rates, get bulk baseball tickets to see the Lookouts play in downtown, etc.

Chattanooga is a nice golf area.  Play Sweetens, go downtown to Honest Pint,  ahhhhh.

Thanks for post on Sweetens as I am playing it right now

So happy for Rob Collins and the ever present Patrick Boyd at Sweetens.




 


Jason Way

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Sweetens Cove Conundrum
« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2017, 10:52:30 PM »
I literally know nothing other than following SC on Facebook. As a fan of 9 hole courses and pretty pictures, my knowledge is limited to the "Vibe" that they have created online.


The full story, from the talented man himself -> https://geekedongolf.com/2016/11/12/rob-collins-the-sweetens-cove-story/


Agree with those above who believe in giving all the credit that is due when it comes to this special place.
"Golf is a science, the study of a lifetime, in which you can exhaust yourself but never your subject." - David Forgan

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