Golf Architecture Documentary to be aired on PBS in August, 2012

[Evan Fleisher]

Came across this blurb in the June issue of Golf by Design magazine...


Golf architecture documentary for PBS

The United States’ Public Broadcasting System has produced a documentary on golf course architecture in America. Scheduled to air in the U.S. and parts of Canada August 3rd, the television special and companion book, Golf’s Grand Design, will highlight golf architecture in America. ASGCA President Bob Cupp said: “ASGCA members Bill Coore and Billy Fuller, along with myself and Ron Whitten, have participated in the organization of the video and Ron and I are writing the companion book.”

Thoughts?  Knowledge?  Insight?

[Sam Morrow]

Who is Billy Fuller?

[Tom MacWood]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

[Mark Bourgeois]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

If it weren't on PBS and Aug 3 to boot. Dude, have you seen what passes these days for programming on that network? Now, HBO or maybe even ESPN, that woulda been righteous.

[Mike Sweeney]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

ASGCA President Bob Cupp said: “ASGCA members

Tom,

Let's start with eliminating Tom Doak, next they eliminated every architect working outside the USA who is not a registered ASGCA member. The growth of golf architecture is clearly outside of the USA moving forward and the origins of golf course architecture were clearly outside the USA.

How could this be "a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture" ?

[Will Lozier]

Tom D. mentioned this on the "Why Doesn't the USGA..." thread earlier today.  He mentioned that they spent a good deal of time with Mr. Coore at Streamsong.  Should be very interesting. 

Cheers

[Ian_L]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

ASGCA President Bob Cupp said: “ASGCA members

Tom,

Let's start with eliminating Tom Doak, next they eliminated every architect working outside the USA who is not a registered ASGCA member. The growth of golf architecture is clearly outside of the USA moving forward and the origins of golf course architecture were clearly outside the USA.

How could this be "a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture" ?

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)? I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

Ian

[Tim Martin]

Can`t imagine how it won`t be interesting and informative with Coore and Whitten involved. I look forward to seeing it.

[Mike Sweeney]

Tom,

Let's start with eliminating Tom Doak, next they eliminated every architect working outside the USA who is not a registered ASGCA member. The growth of golf architecture is clearly outside of the USA moving forward and the origins of golf course architecture were clearly outside the USA.

How could this be "a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture" ?

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)?

I did not say that. My point was I would not limit it to just ASGCA members. It looks promotional for ASGCA otherwise. If used ASGCA members, it would be architects doing work overseas like Curley and Schmidt in China. That is where the growth is. Is Martin Hawtree an ASGCA member? The Trump Scotand course seems like a worthy study.

I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

I agree. Doak is just the obvious name of an architect not affiliated with ASGCA. Kelly Moran and Mike Young (I think) are two other examples.


I do not agree with the premise that a documentary can legitimize a trade that had been around for 100+ years and have been a business for 50-75 years. This website and perhaps this documentary can expand the conversation about GCA, but not much more, IMO.

[Tim Martin]

Tom,

Let's start with eliminating Tom Doak, next they eliminated every architect working outside the USA who is not a registered ASGCA member. The growth of golf architecture is clearly outside of the USA moving forward and the origins of golf course architecture were clearly outside the USA.

How could this be "a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture" ?

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)?

I did not say that. My point was I would not limit it to just ASGCA members. It looks promotional for ASGCA otherwise. If used ASGCA members, it would be architects doing work overseas like Curley and Schmidt in China. That is where the growth is. Is Martin Hawtree an ASGCA member? The Trump Scotand course seems like a worthy study.

I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

I agree. Doak is just the obvious name of an architect not affiliated with ASGCA. Kelly Moran and Mike Young (I think) are two other examples.


I do not agree with the premise that a documentary can legitimize a trade that had been around for 100+ years and have been a business for 50-75 years. This website and perhaps this documentary can expand the conversation about GCA, but not much more, IMO.

Mike-The OP makes reference to a documentary about golf architecture in America. I am missing the connection to legitimizing the trade as well as references to architects working in China and Scotland. Hope all is well.

[Derek_Duncan]

Can`t imagine how it won`t be interesting and informative with Coore and Whitten involved. I look forward to seeing it.

Yes. If I were producing a feature/documentary on golf course architecture in America (I'm making the assumption that this is the general topic of said documentary), Coore and Whitten would be at the top of the list of experts I'd contact.

At the very least this can be a good start to introducing architecture into the mainstream.

[Tom MacWood]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

If it weren't on PBS and Aug 3 to boot. Dude, have you seen what passes these days for programming on that network? Now, HBO or maybe even ESPN, that woulda been righteous.

You probably know more about the TV game, but some of my favorite programs are on PBS, Charlie Rose and Frontline coming first to mind, and those cooking shows on Saturday afternoon. PBS is the perfect platform IMO. Beggars can't be choosers.

[Phil McDade]

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)? I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

Ian

Because to not include Doak is akin to doing a documentary about American music in the past 25 years and not mention Nirvana.

[Sam Morrow]

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)? I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

Ian

Because to not include Doak is akin to doing a documentary about American music in the past 25 years and not mention Nirvana.

I hope Doak doesn't own a shotgun.

[Mike Sweeney]

Mike-The OP makes reference to a documentary about golf architecture in America. I am missing the connection to legitimizing the trade as well as references to architects working in China and Scotland. Hope all is well.

1. Tom MacWood brought legitimizing the trade into the conversation. I simply disagree with Tom MacWood's premise.

2. I think the documentary sounds interesting and I will probably watch it for entertainment.

Two separate issues.

[Tim Martin]

Mike-The OP makes reference to a documentary about golf architecture in America. I am missing the connection to legitimizing the trade as well as references to architects working in China and Scotland. Hope all is well.

1. Tom MacWood brought legitimizing the trade into the conversation. I simply disagree with Tom MacWood's premise.

2. I think the documentary sounds interesting and I will probably watch it for entertainment.

Two separate issues.

Mike-Thanks for the reply. I went back and found Tom' s reference in an earlier post which now puts your reply in context.

[Garland Bayley]

This is the first I've heard of it, but I think its fantastic news. It could be a major step in legitimizing the field of golf architecture.

If it weren't on PBS and Aug 3 to boot. Dude, have you seen what passes these days for programming on that network? Now, HBO or maybe even ESPN, that woulda been righteous.

You clearly haven't been to Oregon to watch PBS. It is THE radio and TV network in the state.

If you want dumbed down commercial crap, then watch the other networks.

[Tom_Doak]

Mike,

Why wouldn't you use ASGCA members if the ASGCA is putting this on (I believe)? I don't think Tom Doak needs to be involved in every publication about golf course architecture to make it legitimate.

Ian

Ian L:

I hate to disappoint you [well, not really], but the producers did include me in the video -- I'm told that the extended interview will be available on a companion web site that will go up on PBS just prior to the show.  I also worked with Bob Cupp for a segment in the accompanying book.  Of course, my name is not mentioned in "Golf By Design," which is the ASGCA's bought-and-paid for promotional outlet -- but luckily the ASGCA did not provide financial support to the television production itself, as far as I know.

The producer of the show had originally intended to start the video with the National Golf Links and end it with Old Macdonald, but I had to tell him that Michael Robin's documentary had done the same thing, so I presume they went in a different direction.


Mike Sweeney:

The subject of the program is golf architecture IN AMERICA, so they didn't include all of Melvyn's family tree, but I am confident there will be prominent mention of the importance of links courses in Scotland and their influence upon American design.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

@Sam

Never heard of Billy Fuller?

http://www.billyfuller.com/

[Tyler Kearns]

I believe some of the footage with Bill Coore was shot at Sand Hills.

TK

[Chris Buie]

Here is a film clip of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTV1OOnWFxg

[Mark Bourgeois]

Here is a film clip of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTV1OOnWFxg

You know, this could be pretty good. Friday 3 Aug at 22h00, though! The under-15, 18-30, and over-55 demos gonna hafta get a TiVo.

[Sam Morrow]

@Sam

Never heard of Billy Fuller?

http://www.billyfuller.com/

Thanks!

[Tom Yost]

@Sam

Never heard of Billy Fuller?

http://www.billyfuller.com/

Thanks!

I'm familiar with the name because he was chosen by the AGA for the Papago renovation.

[George_Bahto]

Tom Doak did a fine job in the documentary

the documentary was well done