YOK 1 in New Buffalo, Michigan (aka Dunes Club)

[Ronald Montesano]

YOK stands for "Year of Kevin," as in the celebration of Kevin Lynch's 50th birthday (which tremored last year, during the early worst of the pandemic.) Postponed until this year, our mild midwest tour visits a number of courses. None will be identified by name; it won't take you long to identify them by place and images. Enjoy YOK1.

[Ronald Montesano]

I'm going to add in the names of each of the YOKs, one per day, over the next eight days. YOK 1 is the course that might be considered as the one that got it all started. Born in 1990, it predates Sand Hills by four years. They say that the lookout point at Bandon Trails 14th tee is hallowed ground for this generation, but the nine-hole layout along Lake Michigan's southeastern shore is equally venerated.

[John Kavanaugh]

The 14th at Bandon Trails is a perfect example of the Millennial Generation. The green was too small so they enlarged it. The hill too steep so they brought in a shuttle. On my last round I proudly walked the hill while my caddie took the shuttle. The hole represents where the worm turned. Hardly hallowed.

[John McCarthy]

I played Dunes Club yesterday for the first time.  I loved it obviously. 

[Ronald Montesano]

Reply #2 is one man's opinion. Not my own. People had heart attacks on that walk. Not just one. Good golf architects revisit their work and make alterations. Old Course, Pinehurst #2, Pasatiempo, Bandon Trails. My Hallowed Ground edict stands.


John, who were your caddies? They are splendid fellows. Filled with support and stories.

[John McCarthy]

Ronald:


I completely forgot their names!  They were top notch - they should be, they are trained to the Butler standard.  And everyone knows Butler has the best caddies in the nation.


  Mine was a longtime caddy/ski bum who now lives locally.  Did not need to pace off a single yardage, kept me away from disaster.  Heard a very funny story about a Dunes Club caddy and Anthony Rizzo.