[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy N's latest sly attempt at Fazio bashing got me to thinking about a more serious question:

What "minimalist" school design would be most capable of hosting a US Open?

The course must meet the general requirements to host major championship both in terms of facilities and degree of challenge for the contestants.

If possible, the design should be post 1970.

I'm hoping this will produce better ideas than restricting the options to Fazio and/or Nicklaus courses.

[John_McMillan]

I think the list will be shorter than the Nicklaus / Fazio one, because the concept of the architecture is so different from a US Open course - lower maintenance budgets, less resistance to scoring / more playability, generally located in areas of lower real estate values (away from cities).

Just off the top of my head, I'd say that Doak's Beechtree might come closest, but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for one to go there.

[Mike_Cirba]

Sand Hills?  I haven't played it (hopefully that will change someday), but several people whose opinions I respect list it as their favorite course in the world.  

Why or why not?

[TEPaul]

I agree with MikeC, I think Sand Hills would be wonderful for the US Open. The golf course would be a great test and the owner has about 5000 acres out there so there's all kinds of room for about ten times the television crews, their fleets of semis, blimp pads, tons of helicopters, all kinds of room for about 1000 more corporate tents etc etc.

I don't know where everyone would stay though since the next house is about fifty miles away--but what the hell, the USGA could do some neat improvising, maybe get LLBean to be a major corporate sponsor, since they could sell about 75,000 tents and all the camping gear necessary to go with it. Most of the pros like to hunt and fish anyway so they probably all have the camping gear anyway!

I can see Ben Crenshaw taking the tournament too by maybe a shot over Tiger and his retooled stinger shot inventory and when he's holding the trophy and they ask him how the hell he did he it he would say; "Aw, I guess it was just my old wind game, a few good chips and putts and maybe a little local knowledge."

It would be great!

[T_MacWood]

What's the minimalist school?

I'm not sure what school it belongs, but The Golf Club would make a capable US Open site.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tom Paul:

Sign me up for a tent!

Tom MacWood:

I'm not sure what school The golf Club would fit into either, but I agree it would be cool for an Open.

John McMillan:

I haven't seen Beechtree, thus I can't comment.

However, my general feeling is the same as yours.  I hope someone can prove us wrong.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Tim, My orignal post was not Fazio bashing in anyway. I thought I was clarifying that?

What I was simply asking was, and with a bit of candor in tune with the recent Fazio fad of leaving his mark on golf courses built in the 1910-1930's, (I can't say "Classical" since Mr, Fazio has stated there is no such thing.) which courses of his are worthy of the greatness for the USGA to award a modern day US Open.

I do however think that there is a lot of validity to your question here as most "minimilist designs aren't configured to be US Open courses. Maybe that is what makes them so great?

So isn't this greatness what is all about, and if that is the case shouldn't the event be a celebration is some cases? If so, I nominate a golf course I have never been to, but respect the many that have and heep glamourous praise--Dan Proctor and Dave Axland's "Wildhorse

To me this course seems to be one that is not only influxing the community for which it was conceived, it was an addition to this "Nebraska-thing" (That ugly place called the Sandhills) which in 30 years could mean something for the game itself.

The course received undue praise and recommendation from Tom Doak at Archipalooza in March. Everyone I know that has seen it says that not only is challenging, it is a blast to play.

Now this is all a pipe dream coming from me, but I do think that someday, from what I have seen, that Wildhorse could entertain the masses as a celebration to the game and just how simple this whole thing is without all of the gimmicks.

It is that original.

[Ran Morrissett]

I would love, love,love to see a U.S. Open at Garden City GC, perhaps in October when the breezes are up. The 17th would play from a forward tee to give the course another two shot brute and to make the players hit another long approach shot. Otherwie, the course is ready to go, once the 12th hole is restored  

[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy N:

I've heard nothing but good things about Wildhorse and am hoping to make it there before too long.

On the Fazio bashing bit, perhaps you'll never live down your reputation.

Anyway, people aren't coming out of the woodwork nominating modern courses regardless of the architect or design style.  Maybe that's the point I was trying to make.

[John_Conley]

Ran:

I believe Garden City has hosted 4 Ams and 1 Open and will not be considered for any more!

   or maybe that should be a      

(For those who don't know, Garden City is a very nice course built in the 1800s.  You MUST wear a coat to go into the clubhouse, but can relieve yourself anywhere on the course and don't have to wear a shirt to play once you are out of view of the clubhouse - basically #3-16.  Membership is restricted, but I can't remember if it is just for men or just for women.)

[aclayman]

I believe one of the criterior was infra-structure, which to me, implies handeling all factors most importantly accomadations for players, spectators and corporate tent facilities.
I wonder if mid-nebraska is doable for those reasons.

Even a perfect choice, like the original River Course at Blackwolf Run(55 mi N. of Milwaukee), is on the outskirts of acceptable drive-time and accomidational parameters.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Tim,
Should they?

Maybe this is the reason why Tom Fazio wants to alter so many CLASSIC courses for free?

Still, I was asking my question with the most complete legitamacy.

Tim, The majority of the great courses of Architects I admire are unfortunately in some very hard to get places. this is because marketing and commercialism have destroyed any chance to build something simple and basic, and without gimmicks. Isn't it funny how "The Targeted Market" enjoy such bland golf architecture.

I can give you a serious resume of courses that prescribe to this. Many of them you have more then likely played here in SoCal.

For the most part, gone are the days where a group of gentleman golfers can pool their resources to build grounds on which emulate the great links of Britain and Ireland. Especially if you think Tom Fazio is producing them.

This is Fazio-bashing, and I'm sorry to say that you brought it on.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy:

Again, my expectation was that very few modern courses would be worthy of serious consideration.

I was hoping someone could make a solid case for a course that could be considered "minimalist".  Unfortunately, those out of the way places we love just would never get serious consideration.

[Tim_Weiman]

Tommy N:

By the way, I've never heard anyone seriously nominate a Fazio course for a US Open.  Have you?

I have heard arguments for Nicklaus (Muirfield), but this is unlikely.

Pete Dye?  Only Whistling Straits.

Crenshaw/Coore?  No

Doak?  No

Tommy Naccarato???

[Mike_Cirba]

Tim,

I didn't hear anyone discount Sand Hills yet.    Whaddyathink?

[Tim_Weiman]

Mike,

I'm assuming Sand Hills would be ruled out based on location, lack of amenities, etc.
However, it would be cool to do a Walker Cup there.

[MAC]

The Golf Club would never work due to their charter which states no outside events are to be held there.

Whistling Straits or Kiawah would be great additions to the Open

[BCrosby]

Cuscowilla would be a great Open venue.  

- A par 70 that plays longer than the scorecard.

- Lots of room for corporate tents, merchanidizing, crowds, etc.

- Lots of lodging in the area, plus only 1 hour from Atlanta.

Downside - it's hot as hell there in June.

[BillV]

You really need a core not Coore course for a major. (see other thread)

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