Is Ron Garl an east coast Ted Robinson?

[Joe Perches]

I've never played a Ron Garl design, but I'm guessing he's similar in style and execution to Ted Robinson.

After glancing at his website
        http://www.rongarl.com/
and his book
        Golf Course Development in Residential Communities
        http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874208483
I couldn't help but believe it.

What are the best Ron Garl designs?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I recently played Victoria Hills near Orlando and was impressed. So was Ron Whitten:

http://tinyurl.com/fv6dj

[Jim_Kennedy]

Joe,
I've played quite a few of his courses in central Fl, including  VH and Bloomingdale GC. I've never been on a Ted Robinson course so I can't compare the two but I think Ron Garl builds to the buyers specs, with VH at one end and the Continental in Wildwood, Fl. at the other.  

[Mike_Cirba]

I've only played one course Ron Garl designed and one he modified so I can't say too much except that a few years back I read somewhere that he took a very mathematical approach to design.

Something about balancing the yardages of his courses so that every player would hit the same club from different tees and would end up using every club in the bag.    I'm sure I can't do it justice but it seemed to me as though it were only an employable methodology on dead flat, featureless land where 15 yards was 15 yards anywhere on the property if you know what I mean.  

Interesting theory, but I think I'm one who prefers the art over the science.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I think a bit better but I have only heard Tommy talk about Ted. lol

[David Kelly]

Looking on their company websites it looks like I have played approximately 24 Ron Garl courses and 13 Ted Robinson courses.

Overall I would probably say that I enjoyed the Garl courses as a group more than Robinson's.  I could also point out a couple of Garl courses that I really liked but really none of the Robinson courses stood out.

Looking at the names of the courses and trying to remember as best as I can I think Garl had many more highs and lows than Robinson whose courses I always found to be pretty bland.

I thought the best Garl designs that I played were Golden Ocala, University Park CC, Victoria Hills and Buffalo Creek.  But I wouldn't jump on a plane...

[Tom_Doak]

I haven't played very much of either designer's courses.  But I have met both of them and they are very different personality types, not just because of the age difference.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Recent quote  from Ron Garl as reported by Howard Ward in the Pinehurst Pilot:

Ron Garl has done more work in Florida than in the Carolinas, but the man has a concept that I love.

“If you want to design a course that a golfer likes, build it so that when he hits a shot out of the fairway, he can find it,” Ron says. “And if you want him to really love the course, build it so that when he finds the ball, he can play it.”

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Tom that was diplomatically put. Ron's course at Hidden Creek in NW Florida is a very good layout for a real estate course. Money Hill north of New Orleans is also a very good but not great course.

[Kerry Gray]

I am not sure about the Robinson comparison but I have played three of Ron Garl's courses. The Ravines in the Jacksonville area. I enjoyed it's elevation changes which are rare in Florida and it has a few very good holes but it is not great.
I think it has been re-worked a couple of times since he built it.
Also Taboo in Canada (Muskoka region) which I think is pretty good although the par 3's lack variety. There are some very good holes there on fine property.

Also the replica course Woodensticks near Toronto. It has various holes inspired by Augusta and the like. The Pine Valley style holes are good as are most of his originals. Would rather have seen 18 original holes there as the property was pretty good.
Did Garl work alot with McCumber early on before going out on his own?

Kerry.

[Aidan Bradley]

Taboo was a delight to photograph and only matched by my frustration in not playing the course. With the exception of holes 11,12, & 13 which run somewhat parallel to each other, every hole has its own space where you feel like you have the complete experience all to yourself.

Aidan.

[Robert Thompson]

Nice photos, Aidan. Taboo is a good golf course, but somehow lets you down after repeat rounds.

Interestingly, I've heard Garl is not well liked by many established architects, including several on this board.

I've played about a half dozen of his courses. None were bad. Few were memorable.

[Steve_Lovett]

Mark McCumber did the Ravines - not Ron Garl.

[Tim Gavrich]

It seems to me that Garl must have some sort of Doppelganger or alter-ego, because I can't believe that the person who designed my least favorite golf course in South Carolina, The Tradition Club, designed that Taboo golf course.  Taboo looks pretty interesting, and Tradition is decidedly opposite.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Tom Doak,
I'm sure Ted would be more then willing to share with you, a thing or two about how to design a parking median, with or without a waterfall...

Is it any coincidence that Ron Garl secretary's last name was MacKenzie and Alister Mackenzie's secretary's last name was Garl?

The coincidences don't stop there either:

Alister MacKenzie was born in 1876.
Ron Garl was born in 1945.

Ron Garl is not a member of the ASGCA
Alister MacKenzie was never a member of the ASGCA

The names Ron and Mac each contain three letters.

Both were particularly concerned with making living.

Both Ron Garl and Alister MacKenzie were born on Festivus Day.

"GARLLLLLLL!!!!!!!" was what MacKenzie uttered when he had his fatal heart attack.

Both have been shunned and treated badly by Augusta National Golf Club. (Garl would never ever, ever, ever be ever considered for work there, whereas if Alister MacKenzie were alive to day he would never ever, ever be considered for work there because Tom Fazio is ANGC's savior.)

Alister MacKenzie is 16 letters. Ron Garl is 7 letters and neither of them are divisible. One is even and the other is just plain odd.

There are many more coincidences, but I have to run out the door for a meeting and I don't have time to list them all here.

[Mike_Sweeney]

One thing is for sure, Aidan Bradley is a genius with a camera!

[Kerry Gray]

Mark McCumber did the Ravines - not Ron Garl.

Steve,
This is why I asked if Garl worked for McCumber before moving out on his own. When I was at the course in November the Pro told me Ron Garl did most of the work on the course.
The info they provided here is inconclusive as well.
http://www.lastminutegolfer.com/Course/PrintPreview.asp?CourseID=556
Lists both.
But if it was McCumber's work, I stand corrected.
Kerry.