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Jason Connor

  • Karma: +0/-0
GC restorers/renovators as architects
« on: May 22, 2008, 04:49:57 PM »
I couldn't find the thread on Rees Jones trying to claim credit for the design at Torrey South or I'd have added this there.

But I received my 2008 Golfweek's Best Places You Can Play book today.

This struck me as funny:

Page 31: Atlantic City CC says how it was founded in 1897 and the terms "birdie" and "eagle" originated there.

Yet they list their architect as Tom Doak.  I love Mr. Doak's work, I just didn't know he had such a great time machine.

I'm joking of course, and I'm sure this is more marketing by ACCC than Tom claiming sole credit.  It was definitely due for an upgrade, but the list of original architects is quite strong (Park, Toomey, and Flynn).




We discovered that in good company there is no such thing as a bad golf course.  - James Dodson

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2008, 03:52:38 AM »
Jason:

The list of original architects IS quite strong, but there is not much of their work left.  When we renovated the course, at the client's insistence, most of it was redesigned.  There are five greens that we tried to replicate from the previous version ... but I believe that one or two of those were not built by any of the guys you mention.

It isn't quite right to call it a Doak design, but it isn't right to call it Park or Flynn either.

Mike Sweeney

Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2008, 04:24:46 AM »
I stopped by ACCC the other day for the first time in years. I picked up the scorecard and they list all four architects on the card with the dates they came in.

I will play there this summer so hopefully I can find something to pick on Tom about, but from the clubhouse, the course looked stunning. The bunkering that Tom built looked fabulous compared to what was there years ago.

While it seems strange to me to have casino owners at this historic course, the clubhouse looked great and the casino had kept most of the old world feel of the place.

wsmorrison

Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2008, 08:32:26 AM »
Toomey was not responsible for any design work, ever.  Flynn's design work was done as a separate entity from Toomey and Flynn, and by Flynn alone.  Toomey and Flynn was an engineering and construction company that would build the courses according to Flynn's plans. 

Jason Connor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2008, 11:48:07 AM »
Tom: Thanks for the feedback.  I haven't read much about this particular project. So it's always interesting to me to hear what was done.  I'll love forward to visiting sometime.


We discovered that in good company there is no such thing as a bad golf course.  - James Dodson

Cabell Ackerly

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2008, 02:08:43 PM »
My take is that if it's a significant renovation, the renovation architect should share the credit with the original Architect(s).

If it's billed as a “restoration” in any way, the original architect should get all the credit, and the restoration architect’s name should be nowhere to be found.

Jason Connor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2008, 04:37:45 PM »
I disagree with Cabell.

I think anyone who has played Pasa before and after (and I haven't) Mr. Doak's restoration would agree that he deserves recognition for his excellent work.




We discovered that in good company there is no such thing as a bad golf course.  - James Dodson

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2008, 09:01:13 AM »
Jason,

There is a difference, that is rather large in my book, between a re-design and a renovation.  Tom stated he redesigned several holes at ACCC.  At Pasa its my understanding he just restored to the best of his ability what Dr. MacK built in the 1st place.

While Tom's work at Pasa was very good IMO, and his work should be noted and appreciated,  Dr. Mack should be the only architect listed for that course.  ACCC on the other hand should include Tom because he designed several original holes.

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +2/-1
Re: GC restorers/renovators as architects
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2008, 09:11:17 AM »
Kalen:  I agree with your distinction (and with Cabell's), which is why you don't find my name in any of the rankings for Pasatiempo, Yeamans Hall, SFGC, Ekwanok, etc.  My associates probably wish THEY got some credit for their fine work on those courses, but that's another story.  We still haven't redesigned much of anything on them.

ACCC is different.  The only holes which aren't substantially changed from the previous version are #3 (Leo Fraser's favorite), #8, #9, and #16.  Many of the rest were re-routed, and even those that weren't were totally redesigned ... i.e. making a ten-foot deep bunker and drop-off to the left of #12 on what was formerly a flat hole.

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