"Spieth’s star-is-born status is drawing massive attention and rejuvenating a tournament that was was lacking in star power."
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Thank God for sponsor's exemptions, right boys? Isn't it great that a 16-year-old is upstaging you?
It’s back!
Twenty years later Tatra Press has kindly allowed me to bring back Grounds For Golf now that golf architecture is of more interest to the masses. A new Introduction looks at what’s driven the interest growth and two new chapters I had a blast adding (plus a few edits to keep things up-to-date).
The Amazon purchase page for the book arriving June 15, 2026.
Thank God for sponsor's exemptions, right boys? Isn't it great that a 16-year-old is upstaging you?And just one more bit of Wentworth piling on from John Huggan:
Actually, in view of the often radical and deeply controversial work that bears the signature of three-time major champion Ernie Els, it is time for Wentworth to break out a new nickname. Long gone is Harry Colt's design, to be replaced by what in places is so pseudo-American it might as well be called 'I-95' or, on days when the sun shines, 'Route 66'. Come to think of it, the 'TPC at Virginia Water' works pretty well, too. Only the absence of a completely inappropriate fountain in the pond short of the 18th green revealed that we were not actually in Florida.
Tea Party victor in the Kentucky Republican Senate primary Rand Paul was asked about hosting his victory celebration at a country club on Good Morning America (thanks reader, Rick).
Tony Jimenez tells us about Paul Casey pulling aside R&A secretary Peter Dawson with a little advice to prevent the Wentworthization of classic courses by giving them the same status as listed historic buildings.
“I suggested to (R&A chief executive) Peter Dawson yesterday maybe we should introduce some kind of scheme along the lines of that which we have with historic buildings in this country,” Casey told reporters on the eve of the PGA Championship.
“(For instance) Ernie’s beautiful house by the 16th hole with the thatched roof and the (superb) plaster work. He owns it but that doesn’t give him the right to paint it pink and put a tin roof on it.
“When you’re an owner of a Grade II listed building it’s much like you’re the caretaker for the next generation… (similarly) if you’re the owner of a golf course does it give you the right to make the changes you want?
“Is that in the best interests of that particular course or for golf in general?”, added the world number eight.
The Briton went on to suggest the rule-making R&A could play a role in protecting venues.
Uh Paul...don't go there.
“I think we need to keep courses in as good a condition as we can… but maybe (owners) need to go through a procedure to make sure these changes are in line,” said the 32-year-old.
“Maybe that’s something that would have to go through the R&A… along the lines of listing golf courses.”
Okay just one question for Casey. Was Peter Dawson nervously twitching, sweating or otherwise behaving oddly as you told him this?
Just curious. After all, he's going around to the Open venues and...altering them!
Somehow I'm guessing the irony was lost on young Paul, but he gets major points for a wonderful idea. He's just talking to the wrong folks.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.