There was a time, which seems milleniums ago now, when Tom Fazio would take on a maximum of six projects a year, because in his own words, "I couldn't do justice to any more than that".
Now, it seems we have Tom Fazio Inc., which not only has multiple projects ongoing across the country, but also are heavily involved in modernization projects at many of the greatest classic courses in the land.
I mention all of this after having played Fazio's Galloway National Golf Club in NJ this afternoon.
It is excellent, strategic, gorgeous, fun, thoughtful, rugged, low-key, almost minimalist in amount of earth moved, scenic, and chock full of variety and challenge. On the Doak Scale, I'd give it an 8 (my very experienced playing partner agreed), because it just provides one superb hole after another, beginning with one of the greatest starting holes I've ever seen. It is as good as World Woods Pine Barrens, and possibly better.
How good is it? I think it's the 3rd best course in the state of New Jersey!
I've played three Fazio courses in the past month, and Emerald Dunes from 1990 was quite good if somewhat limited by the site, Galloway (1995) was fabulous, and the newest one built this year was....well...was chock full of everything that he is criticized here for.
In recent years, it seems the Fazio batting average has dropped precipitously. The reason is clear. On most Tom Fazio courses, associates of widely VARIED skill levels are almost wholly responsible!!! Only on those courses where he seems to take a personal interest and spend a lot of time (i.e. Victorial National) do the results seem to come anywhere near his true abilities, which are considerable.
The rest seem to be a bunch of courses that fall into the 4-7 range, which seems such a shame to me after seeing today exactly how unbelievably friggin good he can be.
I hope he decides that he has enough money, and decides to spend the remainder of his career focusing on scaling back a bit and determining that artistiic and creative genius are not talents to be trifled with or minimized in the pursuit of growing an organization that seems to be rapidly embracing something akin to "fabulous mediocrity".
Also, if he can build courses as wonderful as Galloway, then he should stay away from classic courses and let his original designs stand tall for themselves.