[Ronald Montesano]

This is a game, understand?


After speaking with Mr. Coore about how he and Ben Crenshaw came to form a partnership, I wondered aloud to an aged cat if other past and current architects could find that ideal professional touring golfer, with whom to work. Who would each have been/be? Would it be a female or a male?


We know that Jones worked with MacKenzie on one specific project, that Nicklaus did a bit with both Muirhead and Dye, but what about Ross? Tilly? Colt? Thomas? RTJ?


If you feel open, add to the canon both your knowledge on who did work with whom, and who should have worked with whom, and who would be a good fit with today's group of architects (I've intentionally included no names of currently-working architects, so as to not slight anyone.)

[Jeff_Brauer]

Many architects would say the ideal Tour Pro to work with is one who takes his money and doesn't show up to gum up the works, which is about what happens in most cases.

I have had the pleasure to work with many who actually did contribute, and not being a great player myself, believe they helped my design philosophy along.  The best for me, IMHO, were the grinders like Larry Nelson, Jim Colbert, and Notah Begay.  Unlike Nicklaus, who overpowered with a high fade, or others who always hit a draw (actually, Larry fit this mold) these guys tried to manufacture shots to maximize their chance for success, to overcome their physical flaws.  So, it gave me insight as to how to set up certain shots they would find challenging and appealing.  (Yes, I know some here would go out of their ways to set up unappealing shots, but really, read Mac if you think this is a good idea)

BTW, among top golfers, they called Faldo the one who worked on all the shots more than others, and he would be a good choice to learn from, IMHO.

[Garland Bayley]

I always have been enamored with the root beer float of architect/golf combos, A&W


Andrew & Wier

[Joe Lane]

I think the all-time greatest professional that never, so far as I know, turned to architecture, but I think likely would have made an interesting contribution if he had, would be Walter Hagen. Talk about somebody who’d demand both width and interesting greens!

[Mark Pritchett]

Bob Jones also worked with RTJ on a specific project. 

[Ian Andrew]

I've always got the feeling that Bill and Ben deeply respect each others opinion.
It works because they listen to each other and know each others strengths.

I've collaborated with plenty of people now.
Some arrangements are fun, some are not, it all boils down to mutual respect.

I always have been enamored with the root beer float of architect/golf combos, A&W

   :   )

[Sven Nilsen]

I think the all-time greatest professional that never, so far as I know, turned to architecture, but I think likely would have made an interesting contribution if he had, would be Walter Hagen. Talk about somebody who’d demand both width and interesting greens!

Hagen worked on a course in St. Petersburg, Florida with Stiles & Van Kleek.  Exactly what his input entailed is up for debate.

[Niall C]

Ronald

In your opening post you list Ross as one of the architects but Ross was also a professional golfer playing in the Open and many other tournaments when he was still in the UK. When he was at Dornoch I'm sure he worked hand in hand with John Sutherland the long standing secretary of the club and leading golfer. JS designed several courses other than making changes at Dornoch (Brora being one example) and while I have nothing to say the two worked together on any projects (other than perhaps Dornoch) you'd imagine that the two would have had many a discussion on design.

Likewise Ross played with many visitors to Dornoch including John Low and JH Taylor and you could imagine there might have been an exchange of thoughts and ideas. JH Taylor was renowned for his pitching and many of his own designs reflected this. I sometimes wonder whether that was why he liked Dornoch so much as many of the greens (at least now, maybe not then) favour good pitchers. Likewise how much did Dornoch influence Ross's design ? Not played any of his courses in the States but from photo tours on here they appear to have a lot of built up greens that would favour the pitch shot ?

Niall   

[Garland Bayley]

In Niall's vein architect Vardon played with Taylor and Braid, architect Taylor played with Braid and Vardon, architect Braid played with Vardon and Taylor.

[Ronald Montesano]

In Niall's vein architect Vardon played with Taylor and Braid, architect Taylor played with Braid and Vardon, architect Braid played with Vardon and Taylor.

I think that an endearing but separate thread would be a comparison of the work of the three, its similarities and differences, and why/how things ended up that way.

[Phil Young]

Ben Hogan would have been a Tillinghast disciple and perfect partner. Around 1933, Hogan spent some a few days at Tilly's home in Harrington Park working on his golf swing. Tilly filmed him hitting golf balls and then they would go to his basement dark room, develop it and then they would go through it frame by frame analyzing what they saw.

This was related to me by Tilly's granddaughter Barbara who was present while Hogan was filmed and they discussed what Tilly shot. Unfortunately the film was lost when the building in which all of Tilly's records, drawings, writings, pictures, etc. on the Brown property burned to the ground some 10 years after he died...

[Garland Bayley]

Tom Doak scholar and gentleman, and Michelle Wie Stanford graduate.

[A.G._Crockett]

Bob Jones also worked with RTJ on a specific project.

I think it turned out pretty well, too!

[Jay Mickle]

Not sure if we would get a golf course or an interactive golf art simulation but the creativity of Bubba Watson and Mike Stratz might have make for an interesting association.

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