Ultimate GCA Event

[Simon Holt]

I just looked at return flights from NYC to EDI that week. 


Flying night of Sun Apr 1 to arrive Mon 2 Apr, leave Mon 9 Apr  £345 ($460) with a cheap airline before add-ons, low £500s ($700) for "proper" airlines.


Pretty good since the cheapest flight from NYC to North Bend is £421($570). 

[Rich Goodale]

That sounds great, Simon!  I would think that the hardest part of this concept would be finding a hotel which would meet our high standards.  Maybe we can take over the Strathtyrum Hotel in respect and honour to Bob Huntley?


If we cannot, I've always got my senior bus pass from Aberdour....

[Simon Holt]

First rule of this hypothetical St Andrews event is everyone has to stay in the hotel, no matter how close you live.


Staying in that parallel universe, how many would come?  40 people? 20? 80?


A one off, meet of all meets.

[David Royer]

What a great idea!  The first global summit. I would think Scotland is a must. We could invite all the great architects to sit in the audience and listen to our world headquarters CEO and list of other luminaries.  I can't think of a more fun couple of days.

[Rich Goodale]

First rule of this hypothetical St Andrews event is everyone has to stay in the hotel, no matter how close you live.

Very true, Simon.  Ask for full nonrefundable deposits from all who wish to play. As for the ones who don't show up, even if their beloved cat swallowed a dodgy fishbone over the weekend and is no more, their money goes in the kitty, as an honour to the ex-kitty)!


Keep up the good work


Rich

[Ulrich Mayring]

I have been thinking about such an event for quite a while as well and my idea is that it should be about the "together" part more than about the golf. Sure, there will be great golf, there always is with GCA people involved. The quality of the golf is the least worry I have in this matter.

My idea is a GCA cruise. How about renting a sailboat or even a yacht and do some island/coastal hopping. We could play links golf during the day and then cruise to the next destination. Everyone would be together on the boat. Obviously, Scotland comes to mind with Arran, Kintyre, Islay, Jura, the Hebrides etc. But there are many locations where this would work golf-wise.

Yes, this is probably expensive and a dream. But the thread says "Ultimate GCA Event", so going to St Andrews seems a bit ordinary

Ulrich

[John Connolly]

The golf wouldn't even get played.. everyone would just start wandering around, mumbling to himself about width, playing corridors and indigenous plantings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6nI1v7mwwA

[Pete_Pittock]

Make sure you are there on Sunday. 

[Ally Mcintosh]

Shoulder season at St Andrews wins the day.


36 hole singles event over The New and The Eden with rest of the week open for Old Course ballots, socialising in town, day trips, friendly (or organised) match plays etc...


All staying in the various hotels along The Scores.


Even The World Forum of Golf Course Architects was a rip-roaring success in 2010. Twenty industry types sitting in the valley of sin in their hired kilts, skulling whisky from the same bottle at 3 in the morning...

[Ira Fishman]

No question that there is a certain ineluctability about St. Andrews--in fact it sounds so good that I might recant and establish a handicap.


But I am a bit surprised that there has not yet been an homage to our leader:  Southern Pines for the main event.  Plus PH2, Mid Pines, Pine Needles, Dormie, Tobacco Road.  Perhaps a quick side trip to Old Town Club. 


Bourbon instead of Scotch?


Ira

[BHoover]

Some great ideas posted already, especially the cruise idea, but I think I’d pick a weekend at Cedar Point or Six Flags.

[jeffwarne]

I have been thinking about such an event for quite a while as well and my idea is that it should be about the "together" part more than about the golf. Sure, there will be great golf, there always is with GCA people involved. The quality of the golf is the least worry I have in this matter.

My idea is a GCA cruise. How about renting a sailboat or even a yacht and do some island/coastal hopping. We could play links golf during the day and then cruise to the next destination. Everyone would be together on the boat. Obviously, Scotland comes to mind with Arran, Kintyre, Islay, Jura, the Hebrides etc. But there are many locations where this would work golf-wise.

Yes, this is probably expensive and a dream. But the thread says "Ultimate GCA Event", so going to St Andrews seems a bit ordinary

Ulrich

Ulrich,
could be done quite affordably via the ferry system-and a very good idea.
The ferries have bars....

[Jud_T]

I agree that Askernish would be the spot.  Hickories, arguments about origin, kicking it old school.  The youngsters can get in 36 a day while the old guys can grab a nap after a morning round, fire up the grill and cocktails for when the kids get home.  Bonus side trip to the Machrie and Machrihanish for those so inclined.  Beard pulling, Scotch. Book it...

[Jason Topp]

I have participated in the Buda Cup, the Dixie Cup, the Midwest Mashie, the Kings Putter as well as countless smaller events including our Monthly Minnesota GCA outing and other special events all over the US and even Cabo.  Each group has a slightly different vibe but you consistently play terrific courses, with terrific people of all playing abilities and are hosted by someone who really knows the destination, knows how to organize a trip and obtains a reasonable price.  A large percentage of participants are seasoned golf travelers who know that things will not turn out precisely as the envisioned it but roll with the punches and find that surprises often yield the best memories.


For me, those are the ultimate GCA events. 

[V_Halyard]

If it is outside the range of an traditional outing (KP, Buda, Mashie, Dixie) and one timers (Boomerang, Cabo) I'd say the North Island of New Zealand, Vietnam or China. Don't want to be anywhere close to Korean Peninsula.

At the least out of missile range. Apologies for stating the obvious, but we can only assume that a global GCA gathering would certainly top Pongyang's hot-target list.
Perhaps a Courses by Country?


See: https://tools.wmflabs.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Pyongyang_Golf_Course&params=38.898268_N_125.435830_E_type:landmark

[Jack Carney]

Wherever/ whenever/ great idea. Someone needs to set it up!

[Steve Lang]

Ira,


Lack of an official handicap is hardly an impediment... some clubs and balls and you're in.. 


How about Cabot... everyone has to travel!

[Jim Sherma]

Have the front porch of the Pinecrest as the drinking hub and this is a great choice. Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Pine Needles, Tobacco Road and splurge finale on number 2.

No question that there is a certain ineluctability about St. Andrews--in fact it sounds so good that I might recant and establish a handicap.


But I am a bit surprised that there has not yet been an homage to our leader:  Southern Pines for the main event.  Plus PH2, Mid Pines, Pine Needles, Dormie, Tobacco Road.  Perhaps a quick side trip to Old Town Club. 


Bourbon instead of Scotch?


Ira