Stanley Thompson and ANGC

[T_MacWood]

When Thompson and RTJ severed ties, in a generous jesture, Thompson agreed he would concentrate in Canada and allow Jones to have the states. What if Thompson didn't make such a concession, how would have golf architecture evolved? What would be different today?

[Mike_Cirba]

Tom;

Knowing Thompson's penchant for partying, my short answer is that we'd have much fewer, but generally better courses in the states.  

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Tom,
From my research, which you will no doubt totally discredit, and I don't blame you one bit, Thompson just didn't say, "Here, you take America and I'll take Canada." He was actually slowing down a bit. Spending more time concentrating on some get rich scheme with cattle that ended up with the Thompson Brothers losing everything. Stanley decided he was going to do a course in Venezuela, and I think it was just one of those deals where Mr. Over-rated decided to get a start on his own in America. At least from my information, plus, some of that came from Geoffrey Cornish. (of course, not the negative stuff)(Maybe Bye can help.)

[T_MacWood]

Tommy
According to the famous (or infamous) HW Wind 1951 article on RTJ--Thompson and Jones desolved in the late 30's. And that when they broke up, they had an informal agreement regarding who would work where. In 1940 Thompson was 46 and Jones 34, they both should have had a lot of good years ahead of them.

If Thompson had moved to NYC, instead of Jones, with his colorful personality and portfolio of designs, who knows what might have unfolded.

As an example if someone other than Jones redesigned Oakland Hills, perhaps someone followed through on the supposed Ross plans to re-do the course. One, our US Open set ups might be very different today. Two, we might have fewer US Open venues where modern architects have left their hand prints. Three, it makes you wonder how might effected Jones's siblings?

[David Wigler]

Tommy,

Why do you call Thompson overrated.  I will admit that my experience with him is limited to two courses (Capilano and St. Georges) but Capilano IMO is in the best five courses in North America and St. Georges is in the top 20.  That is pretty damn good.

[Craig Van Egmond]

David,

      I'm pretty sure Tommy was using the Mr Overrated reference  in regards to RTJ Sr.