"Lloyd, Cole and the Commotion"
/Lawrence Donegan was feeling old recently after what sounds like a typical major championship press room conversation.
When one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD
Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People
Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)
Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.
Reviews:
"Golf Architecture for Normal People . . . should be required reading for those who are not ashamed to admit they know little about the subject, and for those who think they do . . . . Golf course architecture geeks have trouble slimming their thoughts down to bite-sized chunks, but Shackelford has achieved a remarkable success here." —Independent (Ireland)
"From the relative newcomer who’s slowly getting hooked to those that have played the game for most of their lives and think they know a thing or two, Golf Architecture for Normal People provides a solid and sober perspective that will help everyone recognize why some golf courses are worth playing more than once while a single trip around others is all you’re ever likely to want or need." —Links Magazine.
“It’s a wonderful book. An easy read that arrives just in time for your summer reading list. If you’ve never thought about how an appreciation for course design could heighten your enjoyment of the game, you must check this out.”—The Peterborough Examiner
"As in his prior publications, in his newest book Shackelford shows a deep appreciation for what can be done to create a golf course that appeals to the broadest possible golfing audience…Shackelford’s prose is succinct, often witty, and accessible."—Cape Gazette
"Author, blogger and golf architecture expert Geoff Shackelford, who helped Gil Hanse design Rustic Canyon and restore 2023 U.S. Open host Los Angeles Country Club, taps into his passion by creating a guide that helps every golfer understand the nuances of course design. Published by Tatra Press, the 164-page hardcover book is a must-read for every golfer to better understand the game they love." —Golf Pass
"Shackelford provides an informative picture [and]...sprinkles in history lessons about those who planted the game's architectural roots, defines common terms and helps you hone your eyes when it comes to identifying some of the tricks of the trade."—FORE Magazine
"This new book does a great job demystifying golf course design ideas for average players, but can also be a beneficial read fro PGA Professionals and other golf course employees to get a better understanding of their home courses." —PGA Magazine
Lawrence Donegan was feeling old recently after what sounds like a typical major championship press room conversation.
From the BBC, courtesy of reader DGS:
Colin Montgomerie has tipped Jose Maria Olazabal to succeed him as European team captain after standing down in the wake of his side's Ryder Cup victory.
"I hope Jose Maria will be well enough to be the next captain," said the Scot.
Olazabal, who had wanted the job for the 2010 event, confirmed his acute rheumatism would be the only thing to prevent him accepting the captaincy.
The United States will attempt to avenge their 14½-13½ defeat at Celtic Manor in Medinah, Chicago in 2012.
"It was between him and me for the captaincy this time and in two years' time he'll be 46, just a year younger than I am now," said Montgomerie.
**The Daily Mail has a longer piece with images, including video of Monty talking to the camera, standing in a shopping center with the Ryder Cup.
This image was lacking a caption though...
Any viral videos out there of Tiger shank-plunking Mail on Sunday shutterbug Mark Pain's Nikon? The shot is an epic though, either way.
I thought it was nice of his paper to post the shots of him walking away in shame!
If you think I'm getting up at 1 a.m., think again. The DVR is set for USA network and with the fast forward button at my finger tips, I should be caught up by 4 a.m....after the 3 a.m. alarm goes off!
Over/under on when the Americans are closed out? I'm setting the line at 8:05 a.m. ET.
A lot of great matches but no made-for-marketing matchups. Interesting that Tiger, Fowler and Mickelson are in the spots post-Brookline where you try to hide your rookies or slugs from the week. Not that I suspect anyone would disagree with the Captain's placing of them there. He needs wins early!
4:05 a.m. – Steve Stricker (U.S.) vs. Lee Westwood (Europe)
4:17 a.m. – Stewart Cink (U.S.) vs. Rory McIlroy (Europe)
4:29 a.m. – Jim Furyk (U.S.) vs. Luke Donald (Europe)
4:41 a.m. – Dustin Johnson (U.S.) vs. Martin Kaymer (Europe)
4:53 a.m. – Matt Kuchar (U.S.) vs. Ian Poulter (Europe)
5:05 a.m. – Jeff Overton (U.S.) vs. Ross Fisher (Europe)
5:17 a.m. – Bubba Watson (U.S.) vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez (Europe)
5:29 a.m. – Tiger Woods (U.S.) vs. Francesco Molinari (Europe)
5:41 a.m. – Rickie Fowler (U.S.) vs. Edoardo Molinari (Europe)
5:53 a.m. – Phil Mickelson (U.S.) vs. Peter Hanson (Europe)
6:05 a.m. – Zach Johnson (U.S.) vs. Padraig Harrington (Europe)
6:17 a.m. – Hunter Mahan (U.S.) vs. Graeme McDowell (Europe)
**Tim Dahlberg's not a fan of Pavin's strategy, though I'm not really sure what else the man could have done based on the play of Woods and Mickelson.
Surprise might be an understatement for Pavin's decision to put Woods out eighth in the day and Mickelson two pairings later. It's almost like the taciturn U.S. captain looked at Woods' balky swing and Mickelson's lousy putter and decided they had little chance of giving him points anyway.
But emotions are everything in the Ryder Cup, and relegating the best two players in the world to support roles can't do much to inspire a U.S. team that kicked away any realistic chance of winning Sunday afternoon after briefly rallying to make it a contest. By the time Woods and Mickelson make the turn Monday, the Europeans might already be celebrating in front of crowds who care as much about this competition as they do.
Steve Elling on what the U.S. faces:
In his past four Ryder appearances, Lefty has managed two victories in 17 matches. Seemingly mindful of the struggles of Woods and Mickelson, Nos. 1-2 in the world ranking, Pavin front-loaded his singles lineup for Monday with veterans Stricker, Cink and Furyk, but left Woods and Lefty in the eighth and 10th slots.
"There have been special days and we are going to need another one," Mickelson said.
He's referring to the rally at Brookline in 1999, which absolutely nobody has forgotten. Sorry to say for the Americans, that goes double for the Euros.
"Other than coming close in a couple of majors, that is easily the most upset I have ever been at Brookline, so I will be impressing that on everyone tonight," Westwood said. "I have never seen grown men cry like they did after that loss at Brookline and we had a bigger lead then than we do now."
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.