Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Mac Plumart on October 04, 2010, 09:45:21 PM

Title: 1989
Post by: Mac Plumart on October 04, 2010, 09:45:21 PM

Did anything happen in 1989 to Fishers Island and/or Crystal Downs?

Or did something shift regarding the golf course rankings?

EDIT...add Camargo to that list as well.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Charlie Goerges on October 04, 2010, 10:57:51 PM

Did they get into the top 100 lists in 1990?

If so, I'd be curious if there were changes to the course, or if the courses were simply "rediscovered" by the raters.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Ally Mcintosh on October 05, 2010, 02:57:45 AM

Quote from: Mac Plumart on October 04, 2010, 09:45:21 PM

Did anything happen in 1989 to Crystal Downs?

Or did something shift regarding the golf course rankings?

At a wild guess, that sounds about the time Tom Doak might have started exerting his influence...

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Mac Plumart on October 05, 2010, 07:47:45 AM

Charlie...

Yes.  In 1989 all of those course suddenly appeared in the Top 100 world list.

Ally...

That is what I suspect as well, but I was curious to see if the courses did anything special as well.  Rennovation, new ownership, marketing, etc.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: JC Jones on October 05, 2010, 08:24:12 AM

Well, the 1991 Senior US AM was at Crystal Downs so that doesn't explain it.  I know Cornish and Silva were there doing work in the mid-1980's but I have never understood that to be significant enough to vault a course from unknown to top 10 in the US per Golfweek.  So, your answer is Tom Doak. 

His opinions and his expressions thereof have a tremendous influence over the rankings and the perceptions of golf courses.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Mac Plumart on October 05, 2010, 10:58:32 AM

JC...I have an IM out to Tom concerning this, but do you know the year he took over the Golf Mag ratings?  I am trying to derive it, and am coming up with 1985ish.  Any idea?

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: JC Jones on October 05, 2010, 11:51:17 AM

Quote from: Mac Plumart on October 05, 2010, 10:58:32 AM

JC...I have an IM out to Tom concerning this, but do you know the year he took over the Golf Mag ratings?  I am trying to derive it, and am coming up with 1985ish.  Any idea?

1984-1986 seems about right.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Jim_Kennedy on October 05, 2010, 12:40:32 PM

Mac,
1987 was the year that GD had its "Armchair Architect" contest. It was thought that there would be around 1,500 entries. They ended up with 20,000
That surprising level of interest in architecture may have helped to 'turn the tide'.


My entry must have gotten lost in the mail as I never heard back from them.  ;D

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Jim_Kennedy on October 05, 2010, 01:05:44 PM

p.s. I think that's around the year Ron Whitten gave up 'lawyering' to become the full time architecture editor, although he had written for them for a few years prior to that date.

Title: Re: 1989
Post by: Mac Plumart on October 05, 2010, 04:49:38 PM

Great stuff Jim.

No doubt your entry got lost in the mail!!   :D