Feature Interview with Keith Cutten is posted

[Ran Morrissett]

 http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-keith-cutten/

How do you know when you have found a writer whom you should read? To me, it is when you read his prose and frequently pause to think. And that's precisely why you should read this month's Feature Interview with Canadian golf architect Keith Cutten and purchase his new book The Evolution of Golf Course Design.

There are so many darn great quotes - below are several:

• 'To quote Horace Hutchinson in defence of Tom Dunn: 'A man is not to be criticised because he is not in advance of his time.'

• 'I am a firm believer that the results are best when the artists wields the paintbrush.  In the case of golf course architecture, this means the architect must be onsite and active in the construction process.'
  
  
• 'Bill Coore once told me that he learns more from seeing a bad golf course than a good one.  I think the same can be said for those who study history.  Understanding what not to do, and more importantly why, can bring about greater understanding when compared to simple success stories.  The study of golf course architecture should be considered in the same way.'
  
  
• 'To observe Harry Colt, Alister MacKenzie, John Low and Horace Hutchinson play a match at The Old Course would be the thing of dreams.  I would be a fly on the wall as they debated all the changes which had been allowed to occur to that sacred ground.  Further, I would make it a 54-hole match with part two played at Sand Hills and part three held at Cabot Links.'
  
  
• ‘Architects such as Max Behr, Albert Warren Tillinghast, Robert Hunter, Alister MacKenzie, Harry Colt and George Thomas Jr. wrote about the changes they were seeing in the game and a different vision being crafted in North America versus that which had evolved in Scotland.  These architects believed the game was being diluted from its ‘sportier’ heritage into a game of exact distances.’

• Speaking of Max Behr, Keith wrote, 'While looking back through architectural history, Brand found a point when architects began considering themselves artists causing a steady decline within the profession. What he dubbed "Magazine Architecture" resulted from this progression, as owners and designers cared more about the appearance and "wow factor" than the final purpose and function of the building itself.'
  
  
• 'Instead of fixating on their ultimate design philosophies and portfolio of work, I aimed to distill their influences and development as an artist.  The effects of world history, economics, prevailing artistic trends, social movements, and the inter-personal relationships were illuminated and contrasted to reveal a more complete history.'

All these quotes resonate but the last one strikes a particular chord at GolfClubAtlas.  We have long attempted to connect the dots of who influenced whom and regularly relate golf circumstance to world events. Therefore, I am a big - though biased - fan of what Keith has accomplished as I don't think a better approach is possible. The book is neatly organized and the production quality is of a standard that more than justifies the $90CAD price tag. You can - and should - order your copy here: https://cuttengolf.com/the_evolution_of_golf_course_design/.  It is an encyclopedia on golf course design, starting with the wooden ball all the way through to 2018 and as Keith writes, 'I believe it is our duty to educate both ourselves and the golfing masses, all in an effort to strengthen the game.'

Covering a topic that spans X hundreds of years is a daunting task and Keith’s effort is a noble one, though it will undoubtedly spark a few points of contention along the way. Like the famous Whitten & Cornish effort, his book becomes a cornerstone in my collection of architecture books and it is something that I will always enjoy as I continually discover thought-provoking commentary and an enhanced appreciation of who influenced whom, when and why.

Best,

[Ben Malach]

Its great to see Kieth getting his due. I have yet to read his new book but his thesis is awesome and one of the best researched documents on the architectural lineage of golf that I have ever read. Every time I hangout with Kieth I learn something new or am inspired to look at golf in a different way.   

[Keith Cutten]

Thanks Ben!  Those are very kind words.  Much appreciated!  It was a pleasure working with you as well during the completion of Cabot Cliffs.  I hope you enjoy the book.

[Niall C]

Thanks Ran, for me as a history buff that is one of the most interesting interviews you've done. I've already ordered Keith's book and this interview certainly whets the appetite. There's much to comment in this interview alone, for instance comments by Keith that the history of golf architecture tends to be US- centric certainly strikes a cord.

Other interesting comments include on the sometimes little understood, or probably more accurately forgotten about, economic and social factors that had a bearing on golf course development in the UK. As a land economist I'll be interested to read more about that. Not sure that the land ownership was much of an issue in the UK in the very early days other than perhaps sometimes in a positive way but I think land use, increasing urbanisation, the fabled effect of the railways on golf, and changes in agriculture shaped the game much more. It will be interesting to read Keith's thoughts.

Once again, thanks Ran, and well done Keith.

Niall

 

[Thomas Dai]

Interesting as ever. Many thanks.
Love the old photo of Carnoustie. The burn to the left as you play the current 1st hole I imagine. I wonder what the date is?
Atb

[Keith Cutten]

Niall - Sorry for the delayed reply.  I was in San Diego last week for the Golf Industry Show, and I had some issues with my phone.  I should have taken my computer ... but couldn't due to the 20 books I took with me!  Anyway, your background fascinates me and I would love to get your perspective on the book once you dig into it more.  Please feel free to contact me via email (keith@cuttengolf.com) at that time.  Cheers.

[Keith Cutten]

Thomas - Dale Concannon (Old Golf Images .com) and his archivists date the image from the 1880s.