Let's Not Rewrite The Classics Yet

Now posted is my latest Golfdom column on questions about the restoration movement's validity

Also posted is David Frabotta's story on environmentally progressive superintendent Pat Blum's efforts to improve his own course and the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program's requirements.

Comments

[Smolmania]

During dinner at Ballyneal last month (God I love writing that. . . ) we were joined by Rupert O'Neal. He told us about how he and his brother were able to get Doak and Renaissance Golf to build their course, but also talked at length about things like water and maintenance. The fescue greens at Ballyneal are watered every three days, and the fairways every four. Sometimes the grass turns brown. It still plays the same, maybe even a little faster or harder, but it doesn't look like the courses we see on tv on the PGA Tour.

When will we wake up and actually see that there are people with vision like Mr. Blum (or Mr. O'Neal) to see that golf can not only be an open space, but a space specifically designed and maintained to be an asset to the environment?

[Ronald Montesano]

There are a few down at Augusta National...The National's grasses are actually a bright purple in nature, but when left unwatered, they turn a vibrant green. It's a high price to pay for television, but they stand firm against nature's detractors.

[Carl Spackler]

Modern equipment endangering the classic courses, of course!

The restoration movement has become a (joke) cottage industry, what's in the USGA's wallet.....? :o(