Most golfers can't name 10 architects.
Most don't care.
Most Americans want to be told what they like. For EX: I live in one of the most liberal towns in the SE US. Seems every Kerry sticker owns a Volvo or similar, many of our lesbian friends own subarus, and the Bush supporters have the SUVs. This is not coincidence ...it is marketing.
Of our signature architects, most were players, Nicklaus, Player,Palmer,The Jones boys are second generation to the greatest marketer in the business, Tom Fazio was trained by US Open winning Uncle George, Pete Dye recognized for HarborTown thru association with Nicklaus.
It's interesting to interview with a Development VP in his mid 30's while he tells you of his meetings with "Jack" or "Pete" or "Tom". It's hard to sell against this. you can't.
Give these guys credit. they have raised the bar and know how to create a brand and sell it to developers.
And whether you like it or not the best way to get in this business is to win a Major.
There is much to be read on this site of the works of around 10 dead architects and a few living but that is not reality.
The fan clubs for todays architects will not develop for another 25 years. And , yes, they will be considerd classics. Just like khaki pants and golf shirts with buttons.
In order to grow ,golf has to become cheaper. Last year sales to golf shops were a market of 4 billion dollars and golf maintenance related sales were 10 billion dollars. Most of that goes to places we never hear from.
The "Augusta Syndome" and the new developents of the 90's have done much to further the careers of architects, builders, golf professionals and superintendants but it is changing.
Consider that you only hear of public courses that aren'tmaking money. the ones that are, don't need to advertise. Funny that most you read and hear from are losing money. Funny how the mom and pops just keep plugging while the management companies keep selling.
We have marketed golf right out of play.
We go to ball parks that have been retro designed and do we know the architects?
Did most of us know Harley "designed the Buick" until tiger ads.
Who does our cluhouses and our tennis courts. Agassi???
Golf associations are an industry themselves. NGCOA for owners, GCSAA for Supts, CMAA for managers, PGA for golf professionals, ASGCA for architects. USGA. From Food and Beverage to USGA green construction we have inflated the cost of golf.
And most all of this has come about because of Developent golf and Club committees. Most develpment employees and club committee members are paying for CYA. the 10,000 mom and pop courses and the few benevolent dictatorships don't need it.
It is going back to mom and pop. Free enterprise will force it. Old Tom Morris did it all and when you see how many of our courses are still done in this manner you have to admire.
I just wish it would hurry up so golf could get back on track.
Oh well, these are the post you do when you have knee surgery.