"I know the Tour has been sticking its nose into that as far as it possibly could"

The new Global Golf Post weekly digital magazine debuted today and included a couple of stories from Mike Purkey and Len Shapiro on the latest Olympic golf course design gig-chase. Based on the tone of the quotes in Shapiro's piece, I think we can cross Tom Doak off the list if the PGA Tour gets involved:

Certainly that's always been the PGA Tour model with its network of TPC courses, and Commissioner Tim Finchem even now has to be exploring ways his organization can also profit from Olympic golf. Some speculate he'd love to add to the current total of 19 TPC facilities (with licenses to name 12 more), and TPC Rio does have a nice ring to it.

"I know the Tour has been sticking its nose into that as far as it possibly could," said architect Tom Doak. "They're probably thinking it should be a TPC course. That would make sense to them. But their typical deal is to partner up with a developer that's already doing something, not to go develop something themselves. They don't take those kinds of risks.

"They want to be involved for sure, but it's still not their money. It's usually their decision who designs it to the extent they feel they can leverage the guy with the money, saying they'll only do it if one of these guys designs it. If they really want in there, they're probably going to be throwing their chips in with whoever looks like the leader."

Comments

[Jay Townsend]

Tom Doak is one of todays premier course designers, and it is a list of 5 at the MOST

[smails]

I love Doak, but no kidding, the pga tour seconded Ty Votaw to the olympic effort for at least two years, he basically ran the effort with Peter Dawson, flew around the world a couple times, got timmy to twist Tiger's and a bunch of other people's arms for help, etc. OF COURSE the pga tour wants to be involved with the course. And they deserve a first look for their efforts. There will be plenty of people (e.g. Nicklaus Design) who will keep them honest.

Rio cant afford a course and doesnt have any native demand. this will be one of the few venues that will actually make economic sense for an outside investor. thank god there's at least one.

[DavidC]

Jay,
You believe the quality of the designer will enter the Olympic course equation? Tell me you are not that naive?

[ArdmoreAri]

Other than China which as we all know builds courses and resorts for the elite.... this is the most exciting and potentially eye opening course design and build opportunity in the world.

As most GS followers and posters know from his words that the course in Rio could lead a global charge to build enviro sensitive public affordable venues everywhere even here in the US.

Unfortunately I am fearful as most of us are that this will turn out to be a futile and fruitless exercise aimed at building another boring and bland TPC style course that looks nothing like Brazil. I am hopeful that someone in Brazil or in the IOC is stronger than we thing and can dictate what would make the biggest stamp on global golf, Olympic golf, and Brazillian golf for all. My fingers are crossed.

[court]

LMAO - "enviro-sensitive public courses" - what part of grass, water, and trees isn't "enviro sensitive" unless you are a tree hugging nut job who thinks that a tree has emotions and thoughts ?

[AA]

Court, I love your love of the earth. As is commonly themed by GS and other informed posters, I was praying for a course to be built without moving lots of earth. We all know the landscape in Brazil is already on the move and in the wrong direction. Praying for a course where they make the land look like it wasn't supposed to be there. A course where they have to excessively water to maintain a certain hue of green on the playing surfaces. A course where they have to crop dust with synthetic fertilizers.

And yes a golf course is inherently part of the natural environment but it is not always sensitive to it.

[Farouck]

Sounds like Thom Doaks beef with the TPC inmates runs much deeper then a possible Olympic venue. Although the Tour may have been upset with the Renaissance Golf price tag. Rumor has it that negotiations stopped when Tom asked for an actual Olympic gold medal !

[Steven T.]

Money talks and BS walks. Do Faldo/Smyers and their investors have the money to get this done and buy off the Olympic decision makers?