Texas A&M Campus Course Renovation

[Anthony_Nysse]

I've watched and read this thread for a couple of days.  Why does this site have to attack every plan or sketch someone does as if someone form this site could do it better?  Guys, who cares if the architect was part of  the development team or if he is the development team.  Not one of you knows the parameters for what he was required to do.  This architecture game has changed boys....people now realize that detailed drawings are very much a thing of the past in most cases and they want people that can put it on the ground.  That routing plan means nothing.  Give the guy a chance....he's one of the few of us that has an 18 hole project...

Well put, Mike. There seems to be a bitter tone in Nuzzo's post. I think that all of us in the golf business need to be somewhat positve and encouraged when we see a new project begin construction in the states, especially at a college, where the game can be grown through allowing college kids access to the golf course at discounted rates.
  Knowing some of the individuals behind the project, I am glad to see it making it from paper to dirt actually being moved now. I think that many people with enjoy their grassing choice and the upgrade to the A&M.
  

[Jeff_Brauer]

Neither Mike or any of us should have any bitterness about not getting the project.  Non aggies never had a chance.......sometimes that is just the way things work out.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Yep...you and Sam....

Well then your post makes little sense to me.
And I find it in poor taste.
This is a website about architecture, and the spirit was initially to be critical of what the general public finds to be great.
Most golf does not live up to the architectural standards of Ran or The Confidential Guide.

Jeff
I posted the bit about him being part of the team because this project was never an option.
It may look like sour grapes to Mike.
I'm fine with the fact that we have different opinions.

Tony
I'm not bitter about the project - it wasn't an option - or could I even have submitted a proposal.
The tone comes from being more frustrated in general, or seeing less of a reason to hold back my opinions.

Cheers

[Mickey Boland]

Jeff, Mike, Anthony et. al.,

Thanks for putting this back on topic, as I tried to do earlier.  I look forward to the new course.  I haven't played there since I graduated almost 30 years ago, but did spend a lot of time on the course when I was there.  It should be a great enhancement to the campus, and, as others have stated, hopefully it becomes a real-life classroom.  I usually don't play golf when I go up for football games, but will definitely make time once this is open.  I haven't seen a timeline.  Can anybody provide an estimated opening date?

[Carter Hindes]

Sorry failed to mention...  Landscapes Unlimited is doing the work with a projected opening September 2013

[Sam Morrow]

Alteast A&M will be staying open, Blaketree just closed, I got an e-mail that Bluebonnet is closing and a friend in BCS told me that there is talk of either Byran Muni or Briarcrest closing.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bluebonnet Hills in Austin, or another Bluebonnet?  I did BH in Austin and was a part owner for a while......you know you're an old gca when you start getting NLE's on your resume.....

[Sam Morrow]

Bluebonnet Hills in Austin, or another Bluebonnet?  I did BH in Austin and was a part owner for a while......you know you're an old gca when you start getting NLE's on your resume.....

Bluebonnet there in Plantersville/Navasota. Is Bluebonnet Hills off of 290 between town and Manor?

[Jeff_Brauer]

That's the one. I pulled out of the partnership because I was embarrassed to be a part of such a low end operation.  But, even in 1990, it netted me $33K per year so perhaps I should have looked the other way and stayed in the game......

[Lester George]

Jeff Blume is very talented and is a finisher.  He will do a great job on this. 

Lester

[Mike Nuzzo]

Jeff Blume is very talented and is a finisher.  He will do a great job on this. 
Lester

Howdy Lester
I seem to have been the only one critical of some elements of this plan.
Do you have a comment on my comments?
Have you played Jeff's work?
I think he is a solid guy - so are you, but I'd like to be critical of your work on a website built upon the premise of critiquing what great golf means to people.
Cheers

[Mike_Young]

Yep...you and Sam....

Well then your post makes little sense to me.
And I find it in poor taste.
This is a website about architecture, and the spirit was initially to be critical of what the general public finds to be great.
Most golf does not live up to the architectural standards of Ran or The Confidential Guide.

Jeff
I posted the bit about him being part of the team because this project was never an option.
It may look like sour grapes to Mike.
I'm fine with the fact that we have different opinions.

Tony
I'm not bitter about the project - it wasn't an option - or could I even have submitted a proposal.
The tone comes from being more frustrated in general, or seeing less of a reason to hold back my opinions.

Cheers

Mike,
I don't see any poor taste and if I did I would apologize.  I saw no compliments to the fellow in your post.

I just realized I had not responded. 
You state in your post:
The architect was part of the development team.
That 10th hole looks like a waste of money.
I see swoopy fairways & greens and lots of mounds.
That faux green bridge between the 18th and practice green is a vonHagge trademark.

Well, IMHO this site IS about discussing architecture and I may differ from many but I DO NOT CONSIDER DRAWINGS TO BE ARCHITECTURE.  No one to this day has played a drawing.  SO THERE IS NO DISCUSSION UNTIL THE COURSE IS UP AND RUNNING IMHO.  This site often has a "circle jerk" mentality and often they begin with such comments as in your post.  The most BS ever slung on this site is when different guys start discussing drawings and not courses.  If the course is finished and one wishes to critique it then that is what I think the site was meant for.  Drawings change.  How many writers and rater types have you seen form an opinion of a completed project based on the set of drawings or the conceptual plan?  There is so much BS and hype in golf design.
Cheers