In golf construction art and utility meet; both are absolutely vital; one is utterly ruined without the other. GEORGE THOMAS
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.
Oscars: 5th Grade Bronx Chorus Ends Show With "Over the Rainbow;" PGA Tour Has Yet To Take Responsibility
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Sophie Schillaci explains that it was not PGA Tour Productions who came up with the cherry atop the excruciating Oscar ceremony to wheel out the Staten Island Public School system's top singing 5th graders. Instead it was the visionary work of nightmarishly bad host Anne Hathaway and even worse Oscars producer Bruce Cohen. I still say the PGA Tour had something to do with it.Donald Wins Golf's Fifth Major!
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Yep, this week was that good in terms of quality play, compelling match-ups and result. The new world No. 1 lost to a consistent, if sometimes frustratingly talented Englishman. But Donald played superior golf all five days, eliminating the supposed fluky nature of running into a buzzsaw. (And it's worth noting that the other two semi-finalists have been playing at an elite level over the last year.)
Sure, the course is dreadful in terms of producing atmosphere and risk-reward situations, but it's not so horrid that it gets in the way of quality play.
From a fan's perspective, the match play has never been better. In terms of daily must-see golf with an interactive twist for fans (nice going Golfweek!), every day was must-see TV. It didn't hurt that there was a fun mix of storylines and a little controversy. Shoot, the match play is my fifth major! Check that, the PGA Championship is in serious decline. The match play's better!
More importantly, how did you do in your Golfweek bracket? I had Kaymer, but my dismal early week performance would not have been enough to overcome had he won.
It's A Scarf, It's A Keffiyah, It's A Snood: New World No. 1's Neckware Generates Much Needed Semantics Debate
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I would have though Marty Hackel's pronouncement of scarf would have made this established case law, but apparently there is still some question about what to call new world No. 1 Martin Kaymer's neck embellishment during Saturday's match play.2011 WGC Accenture Match Play Saturday Open Thread
/I'm kind of bummed about the altered format but completely understand why the tour reverted to the Saturday 36. And after experiencing the storm that is headed their way, it was a good call.
Cary Grant Estate Calls: Martin, We Want Our Scarf Back!**
/You have to admire the bold fashion move by Martin Kaymer, especially since he has been vehemently opposed to stripes, patterns or anything else that a good anal-retentive German would oppose.
Still, it was a shock to see his cold weather, uh, accoutrement, during Saturday's match play. Maybe a gift from his recent Middle East appearances?

In case you were wondering, Kaymer got a thumb's up from Golf Digest fashion man Marty Hackel:

**Mr. Hackel kindly set me straight on the difference betwen an Ascot and what Kaymer is doing and how to arrange this:
NO NO as he ties it much differently. This is Not an Ascot but rather a scarf and it is knotted in a way that first became popular in Europe and the Middle East.
Take longish scarf
Fold in half
Wrap around neck
Place unfolded end thru end that is
Snug around neck
If it'll help me play like Martin and stay warm, count me in!
"At this stage - without a contract for 2012, without a word from PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem or the Accenture high command - paranoia creeps in."
/Greg Hansen notes the uncertainty surrounding the Accenture Match Play's future at Dove Mountain.
When the Tucson Conquistadores aggressively chased the Match Play event, then located in Carlsbad, Calif., it wasn't much of a secret. Conquistadore Russ Perlich, who was also a PGA Tour board member, estimated he flew to the tour's Florida headquarters "umpteen times" over several years to broker the deal.
About 18 months before leaving golf-saturated Southern California, the Match Play people scouted potential sites in Las Vegas, the greater Phoenix area and in Santa Barbara, Calif. It settled on Tucson for five reasons: climate; the Conquistadores; a 60-year history of community support for the Tucson Open; the promise of a new golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus; and an on-site hotel built by Ritz-Carlton.
It seemed to be enough to please the golf people for at least 10 years, but business is business, right?
Five Guys: The Game Is Tiger And Tiger Is The Game!
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My already low expectations were not exceeded by Golf Channel/NBC on Golf Channel's roundtable from Arizona featuring Johnny, Faldo, Brandel, Roger and Dan Hicks. The first 17 minutes were devoted to Tiger, followed by tour talk, and topped off by a tiny last segment glossing over the state of the game. Hardly shocking, but ultimately why the Golf Channel still doesn't have the full attention of avid golfers the way, say, Tennis Channel and lively commentary makes it must-see-TV for their hardcore fans.Match Play Friday: Looks Like I Picked The Right Day For Jury Duty!
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Blowouts and some less than captivating characters made for what looks like a rather ho-hum match play day after two excellent opening rounds. However, tomorrow should be interesting and fun, weather permitting.Day Three 2011 Match Play Open Thread
/While I'm stuck with jury duty some of you will have the joy of watching day three at the WGC Accenture Match Play. Let me know what ploys Jason Day wheels out to get J.B. Holmes' attention! Coverage begins at 11 am PT.
"There's a few little mind games out there."
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There was so much to enjoy from Thursday's match play--dominating performances by Ben Crane, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler, Geoff Ogilvy going to 20-3 in the match play--but Jason Day's impressive win over Paul Casey and the gamesmanship that went with it stood out. Doug Ferguson reports:Tiger: No Doubt The Process Of More Reps Will Not Take Place At The Honda Classic
/Steiny issues a Thursday statement so that Tiger's fans can do something Friday besides sitting around hoping he'll add the Honda Classic to his schedule.
"These habitat enhancements and golf could be compatible."
/Compton Keeps On Coming
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Sean Martin recaps Erik Compton's crazy schedule since Monday qualifying for Riviera and now following his final round 64 with an opening 64 in the Panama Nationwide event. The two-time heart transplant recipient continues to astound...Day Two 2011 Match Play Open Thread
/I blew it yesterday not opening up a thread but after Kelly Tilghman opened her on-camera time with info on where Tiger could drop to in the world rankings, it's my duty to offer a place to vent!

