Okay, you REALLY want to start a rating fight....

[Jonathan Cummings]

Let's rank the gca posters! 

[Richard Choi]

...and there goes your ranking.

[Ronald Montesano]

Where is the O/T in the subject heading?

[Carl Rogers]

Challenge people to a duel.  Not me, of course, because I have disqualified myself as a Rater.

[JC Jones]

John Kavanaugh is first in Victoria, first in Dismal and first in the hearts of his GCA.com bretheren.

[Mike Sweeney]

John Kavanaugh
Ran
Sean Arble

I am counting Ran's reviews. John is John and Sean's hidden gems are great. Many other great reviewers off site with their own blogs.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Before we start, please can someone tell me what has ‘ratings’ to do with golf course architecture?

So we have our favourites, big deal  -  why is it not posted as WOT that’s ‘well off topic’. It has no place in sites like CGA.com, after all it does is sell Golf magazines to those who feel it means something, when in reality the results are calculated from the lowest common denominator – that stinks of compromise but alas it contains zero golf course architecture.

Now what was it I was saying about carts and their tracks ruining a golf courses – that Gentlemen is not OT but smack back onto the core business and subject matter of this site.

Melvyn

[Mike Sweeney]

Before we start, please can someone tell me what has ‘ratings’ to do with golf course architecture?

Mel,

Every architect wants their courses to be on a list as then they can raise and/or justify their fees. Not saying it is right, just the way that it is. I assume you know that Tom Doak established himself as a "thought leader" in golf course architecture by writing a book with his own rating scale and he was the leader of the Golf Magazine Panel.

[Peter Pallotta]

Okay, but before we get too far along on this, let's please at least agree on our ranking criteria. I'll start:

Shot values
Resistance to scoring
Design variety
Memorability
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Ambience
Walkability

[JC Jones]

Okay, but before we get too far along on this, let's please at least agree on our ranking criteria. I'll start:

Shot values
Resistance to scoring
Design variety
Memorability
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Ambience
Walkability

You are to observe the conditioning, aesthetics, ambience and walkability but they should not factor in your ratings of the other categories.

[Bill_McBride]

Okay, but before we get too far along on this, let's please at least agree on our ranking criteria. I'll start:

Shot values
Resistance to scoring
Design variety
Memorability
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Ambience
Walkability

John Kavanaugh is memorable, but I'm not sure he's walkable!   

[Mac Plumart]

First on resistance to scoring is Tom Paul...you ain't gettin' nuthin' by him.

[Eric Smith]

Memorability is our friend Anthony Gray's strong suit.

[Ronald Montesano]

how far will this bromantic orgy go?

[Mac Plumart]

What the hell, I rank everything else in life..


Top 5 Contributors to GCA and the core topic of golf course architecture

Tom Doak…if you don’t read what he’s got to say, you are missing the boat.  Agree or not; like him or not; it doesn’t matter, you need to read what he’s got to say.

Mike Young…Great business insights and nuts and bolts common sense. 

Jeff Brauer…fantastic depth of analysis and experience to draw off of.

Ian Andrew…inquisitive with great experience.

Sean Arble…best non-architect posting.  Takes analysis to another level.