And Then There Were Three...
/According to Martin Blake, it's down to Kingston Heath, Metropolitan and Royal Melbourne for the 2011 President's Cup.
The only course that will remain difficult under all conditions will be one that is designed and kept for golf of a stereotyped, monotonous character, and this makes a most uninteresting proposition. BOBBY JONES
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
2011 President's Cup To Melboune...But What Course?
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To the readers in Australia, tell us where it should be played if Royal Melbourne is not the course...
The Presidents Cup to Return to Australia in 2011
(PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.) — PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today announced that the ninth staging of The Presidents Cup will be contested November 14-20, 2011, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Melbourne becomes the first city outside of the United States to host the prestigious match-play competition more than once, as the 1998 event was held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The host course for the 2011 Presidents Cup is expected to be named by the end of 2007.
“We are thrilled to be bringing The Presidents Cup back to Melbourne in 2011,” said Finchem. “Every player, fan and TOUR staff member who either attended or watched the 1998 Presidents Cup still vividly remembers the incredibly warm welcome extended to the participants and the first-class atmosphere Melbourne created. Melbourne’s government and citizens staged a superb competition then, and we are confident they will only exceed expectations when we return in four years. I know the world’s best golfers will look forward to another trip down under for this thrilling competition.”
The Presidents Cup, a team match-play competition featuring 24 of the world’s top golfers – 12 from the United States and 12 from around the world, excluding Europe – is held every two years, and since 1996 has alternated between United States and international venues. The Presidents Cup was developed to give the world's best non-European players an opportunity to compete in international team match-play competition. The U.S. Team has won four of the six previous Presidents Cups, and the only outright win by the International Team came at the 1998 event in Melbourne. The 2003 Presidents Cup ended in a tie.
“We are delighted to have secured the return of The Presidents Cup to Melbourne in 2011,” said Ben Sellenger, Chief Executive Officer, PGA TOUR of Australasia. “The impact of Australian players has been felt on golf tours around the world, and the staging of this prestigious event on the world renowned sand belt in Melbourne is a further reflection of the strength of our country in world golf. After a hugely successful Presidents Cup here in 1998, there is little doubt the excitement and anticipation for this event will build exponentially over the next four years, and the PGA TOUR of Australasia looks forward to fully supporting the return of The Presidents Cup in 2011 and continuing to bring world class golf to the Australian sporting public.”
Nicklaus Prepares For '07 President's Cup By Watching As Little Of Ryder Cup As Possible
/From a story by Garry Smits:
Nicklaus said the U.S. Ryder Cup team had the same intangibles going for it as the European team.
"They [the U.S.] played for pride and their country, the same things as they other guys," he said. "They played as a team. They just got whipped. The Europeans just played better."
Nicklaus said he didn't watch all the matches, but he guessed that the U.S. team played with as much desire as it did last year in the Presidents Cup.
"They probably played just as hard for [captain] Tom [Lehman]," he said.
Nicklaus said reversing the U.S. Ryder Cup fortunes had to start with developing younger players who had an instinct for winning.
"The big problems is we don't have any young players," he said. "Tiger was the youngest player on our team, and he's 30. We've only got one player in the U.S. under 30 who's won more than one more tournament.
"I think the colleges are developing players who are good at winning college tournaments, but that promotes playing conservatively. I don't think they come out of college knowing how to win yet."
