Dr. Geoffrey,
I think David has it right here in regards to Brian, and recently I had a small IM conversation with the Brian regarding opinions he made recently on another subject. I had not realized Brian had tired of this website and/or had issues with it. After all, many of us have prospered in friendship and commraderie alone, as well as found people who show the same interests in the game. Nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, I think that its great that a Bombsquad Golf exists to that portion of the masses.
I've had the pleasure to met Brian and I think he is a swell guy who I would gladly golf with anyday of the week. Although from the sounds of it, he might just not want to do that at Rustic Canyon. He certainly has problems with it and Geoff Shackelford, Rustic Canyon was never going to be a course that won high praise in two rounds with everyone. That's the beauty of GREAT golf architecture that creates conversation. In fact if he read Geoff Shackelford's book on the subject, Geoff mentions this as a good thing.
As far as Bomb Squad Golf, the much admired Harvey Pennick once said, "If you play golf, your my friend" and I think that's a pretty apt conclusion to this topic and thread.
At Rustic Canyon, we have developed all sorts of great friendships because of this wonderful course. I drive over an hour and ten minutes just to play 95% of my golf there, and frankly, it just isn't enough either!
When I was at my worst mentally, physically and spritually less then a year ago, I would still go out there with the hopes and wishes and thoughts I could get more then just few holes in on that given day. It didn't mater how many, just that I could play more then I did the last time I was there. That probably saved my life simply because it was the only hope I had left at that time. It wasn't the perfect situation either, knowing I was nothing more of a casual observer then a participant--I was a mess because of it too. I can honestly say on many occasions that I likened myself to a parapelgic, paralyzed from the waist down. Yet, I had the David Moriarity's; the Lynn Shackelford's; the David Kelly's; the Andy Lipschultz's not caring one bit if I did hang around and flail away. Even the entire staff at Rustic Canyon.
Is that friendship or what?
So, as far as the Bombsquad guys wanting to play Rustic Canyon, well, If they want to play there, I'd fully encourage their vote to do so and tell them simply the same thing I tell anyone that's playing there that I don't seem to recognize from times before: "Enjoy the course it was built for specifically people who love the game of golf and want to be challenged on every aspect of the Game." It's not perfect, but that's whats perfect about it. and in closing, a little line from my recovery program that is allowing me to enjoy the Game, the ability just to walk from room to room, as well as enjoy my entire life again:
Progress Before Perfection...