I almost sent this to Wayne so that he might give you a break and help carry on this conversation. Almost, until I saw where his mind is at the moment - always a good second choice.
Tom, I just read Pat Mucci's most recent comment regarding getting back on topic, and while I don't want to drag this on any more than necessary; my purpose as Pat recog-
nizes it; was to suggest that architects recognize there is a particular attitude which charac-
terizes far too many golfers, (most of them having learned all they know about golf since the onset of the Arnold Palmer Era). And we either agree with their perception, and grind out courses of contemporary character; or we resist this faulty influence, and protect or produce course of a classical nature.
From my point of view there is no compromise. But what is required first is that the architects better educate themselves. Most should work as hard as the members who express themselves on this site.
Jes II raised a question related to turf maintenance and how that factors into this discussion. He makes a good point, because this is a critical aspect,which has just as much of an impact on the character of a golf course as does it's architecture. And far too few architects are willing to wade into the reeducation skirmish. Dry, firm, hungry, and thirsty golf courses have a beauty that cannot be matched by overwatered, overnurtured, overly green golf courses. People here in this country must learn that it is far more important that the ground have "life", than that every blade of grass is alive.
When it comes to the comments of Tom Macwood, I welcome his passion, and I listen to (read) his criticism. But I do want him to understand I was aware of the Dallin Collection at the Hagley Museam when he was still in short pants. I was aware of it before the Museam even recognized what it possessed and properly cataloged the archives. I was the man who informed Ernie Ransome past President of Pine Valley Golf Club, that there was a collection of 24 early aerial photographs of his great golf course housed in Delaware.
I also want Tom to understand there were photographs from the Dallin Collection, showing that the golf course at one time possessed well over 200 bunkers at some early time, when I first walked into the club in 1987.
Now, Tom has every right to constantly express the "feeling" that this golf course should have been restored in that manner, but I must add he was not a part of any of the meetings and conversations that were conducted at Aronimink before a course of action was selected. The members of Aronimink Golf Club are bright and successful people who I deeply respect, and after awhile it becomes a bit tiresome reading what amounts to insults.
.
Once again, The purpose of what I first suggested to you is that it is time for the men who practice and analyze golf architecture to get on with a proper education. There is no classroom which can surpass the great old classic courses we can find and study (both here and in the British Isles). I am reminded of the time I hear Wynton Marsellis (sp?) play the Hayden Trumpet Concierto with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Here was one of the present day great jazz artists clearly revealing "he was schooled in the classics". There is no excuse for the present day architect who fails to study the roots of golf, and then chooses to express himself in some half assed fashion.
I better stop here. You might want to edit this in my behalf. It's up to you
Ron
Good post (email) Ron. It definitely shows your passion for classic architecture that anyone who has ever heard you speak publicly about it could not possibly miss.
If you'd care to continue submitting thoughts on this thread how about some examples of what you might describe as the challenge of the classic course compared to some of the modern style stuff you're obviously not too fond of.
How about things like bunkers, their depths, their maintenance (sand surfaces, grass surround maintenance--eg balls hanging up in grassed down faces), fairway width (as a strategic philosophy), green surface firmness, green speed, trees on courses in a general sense, etc, etc.