Feature Interview with Zac Blair is posted

[Ran Morrissett]

 http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-zac-blair/

Understanding a variety of perspectives is the underpinning of education. In that vein GolfClubAtlas.com aims to communicate a panorama of opinions for the study of golf course architecture. Most of my friends are golfers who like me are (increasingly) grateful to break 80. Much of the content added to this site (profiles + Feature Interviews) is written from that perspective. Occasionally, I worry about overstating the quality of place because a better class player might - in theory - demolish it. Thankfully, such worries are fleeting. Nonetheless, it is always a delight to post an interview with a stud player. Past ones include Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson and today Zac Blair is added to that list.

As a member of the PGA Tour, Zac plays a game with which I am unfamiliar. And yet, when I read the inaugural 2018 Interview, I am struck far more by what we have in common than our differences. To give you an idea, two of his favorites are Somerset Hills and North Berwick. Plus, he is a huge fan of Seth Raynor. That’s all music to my ears!

Another thing that strikes me is his wanderlust. Some professionals stick to the courses on their tour and don’t veer out of their way to see something different. Not Zac, unless Fishers Island or the 9 hole municipal in Hawaii Kahuku have started hosting events I’m unaware of. 😊 Clearly, he enjoys a range of courses and his quest for knowledge is immensely appealing. Another example includes his trip last year to Australia, where he toured a series of courses and became enamored with the concept of short grass around greens.

We ask him a variety of questions and then drill down on a project that he hopes to get off the ground soon, The Buck Club in Utah. If all goes well, it will be a club built by golfers for golfers. The drone aerials speak for themselves regarding the project’s potential. So too do the photographs of holes 9 and 13, the former being a 230 yard Redan and the latter a 105 yard Postage Stamp. Rob Collins and Tad King are on board, so the project will be in great hands.

Reading this interview and seeing Zac in the opening photo with a bag slung over his shoulder playing dirt golf gives me someone new to root for on Tour. We thank Zac for his time and wish him all the best in the 2018 season as well as for his Buck Club venture.

Best,

[Tommy Williamsen]

Great interview. Zac's love for the game is obvious. I can only wish him well in his career and his venture.

[Mike Sweeney]

Great interview. Zac's love for the game is obvious. I can only wish him well in his career and his venture.

+1

[Jay Mickle]

The Buck Club sounds like a marvelous collaboration.

[Jason Way]

This is fantastic Ran. Thank you for continuing to bring us such a wide range of perspectives.

Zac's passion for the game and its playing fields is both obvious and infectious. In the same vein as Mike Clayton, he is a legit golf bum, and I love that. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but we have golf buddies in common, and they also say one more thing about him which matters to me - he is a genuinely good dude.

Best of luck to Zac on all fronts, and thanks again Ran.

[Kalen Braley]

I was a huge skeptic of the Buck Club at first myself.  Given its location and Utahs lack of top notch tracks, seemed a pretty big ask...


But after seeing the place 1st hand a couple months ago and then learning who Zac wants to bring in to build it, I've become a believer.


P.S.  I've mentioned it before, but this location is only 45-50 minutes from Salt Lake International and still has a remote/secluded feel to it.

[Mike Sweeney]

"I will give you 9 shots against Zac on opening day at TBC and take Zac !! "

And Zac, don't let me down on opening day  

[Jeff_Lewis]

Great interview 'Dolph.  Amazing that "one of us" actually is out there on the PGA Tour.   Have a new favorite to root for out there.  And best of luck with the Utah project, which sounds fantastic. 

[Chris Mavros]

Great interview.  I did not realize King/Collins were helping out with the Buck Club, that makes it even more intriguing to me.

[Søren Rye]

Thanks for posting this interview.


The guys Zac went to Australia with run the "No Laying Up" podcast, which I can highly recommend. They also very recently did an episode with Mike Clayton.

[Craig Moore]

I am very impressed with ZB.  His passion for the history of the game and understanding of golf as originally designed and still played by most of us is much appreciated. 

[Cal Seifert]

Thanks for posting this interview.


The guys Zac went to Australia with run the "No Laying Up" podcast, which I can highly recommend. They also very recently did an episode with Mike Clayton.

That episode where they recap their Australia trip was excellent.  That podcast and the Fried Egg one are my favorites.