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.
Phil Offering Pro-Bono Redo Of Torrey North
/Tod Leonard reports that Phil Mickelson is offering to renovate Torrey Pines North, under consideration for refurbishment by the city of San Diego's golf division, for free.
"We expect to see clouds of white smoke by Friday."
/Ron Whitten previews the largely secretive Rio architect selection process, which takes play Tuesday and Wednesday, with a decision expected by week's end.
Kyle Stanley, Torrey's Pond And The South Course Future
/Many folks have voiced their discomfort with the sight of Kyle Stanley's third shot spinning back into the pond fronting Torrey's 18th. And while I wish the lake wasn't there or that the green complex worked better, I can't agree with the view that he received an unfair break.
A few random thoughts to consider...
Starting The PGA Tour Season In October?!
/Almost as inexplicable as the PGA Tour's free marketeer's desire to make Q-School a Nationwide Tour-only affair and shut off an avenue to the tour is the purported eagerness to start the next season in October.
Read MoreThe Donald Wants To Spend Eternity Next To A Mildly Interesting Three-Shotter
/Jarrett Renshaw reports that the reality show star is once again considering the creation of The Trump National Bedminster Mausoleum and Funeral Home for the burial of select VIP's. Renshaw says it would border the first hole, according to Trump consultant Ed Russo.
Read MoreQ-School Squabble: Van Sickle def. Herre 7&6
/Nice little debate in this week's SI/golf.com Confidential on Q-School, with Gary Van Sickle taking the case of keeping Q-School. Van Sickle notes that "the real story here is that the PGA Tour is scrambling to find sponsors to replace Nationwide."
Read More"If Jack Nicklaus can't get his grandkids to play golf, what hope do the rest of us have?"
/That's Geoff Russell's Golf World Monday assessment after last week's PGA Show/state of the game summit in Florida. And it is a pretty stunning statement when only one of his 22 grandkids is really into the game, playing "more than a little bit."
Read MoreSo Much For Blank Checks...
/Reader Matt passed this photo along from someone on site whose name I'd reveal except that he would be spending the next Farmers Insurance Open watching from outside the gates.
Read MoreTiger Abu Dhabi Reviews In: "Remember the certainty when the man in red went marching down the first on a Sunday lunchtime? No longer."
/Some views of Tiger's--gulp--rocky final round in Abu Dhabi. Lots of names to add to Glenn's list...
Read MoreHuh Finishes T-6, Best Finish Of '12 By A Rookie
/Just imagine if he'd played a year on the Nationwide Tour instead of graduating from tacky old Q-School. Sean Martin, filing notes on Sunday's wacky final round at Torrey, says this about the rookie-from-nowhere's amazing start:
Graeme McDowell's Abu Dhabi Bank Shot
/An unbylined Belfast Telegraph item sets up Graeme McDowell's strategic approach to Abu Dhabi's finishing hole Sunday, not long after he made an ace.
“The key for us is plurality."
/Jason Sobel explains that only Steve Stricker is paid to wear FootJoy clothing, while the rest of the players in it just don the stuff out of their love for free performance fabrics.
Read MoreStanley: "I could probably play it a thousand times and never make an 8."
/Unfortunately, Kyle Stanley did make an 8 on the last hole and as Doug Ferguson opens his game story, "Brandt Snedeker won the Farmers Insurance Open in a playoff not even he thought was possible."
Read MoreWorld Of Golf Braces For Rock Pun Onslaught
/Bob Harig spares us in his game story on Robert Rock's impressive Abu Dhabi win over Woods and McIlroy. Here's a post round interview with Tiger, who unfortunately did not win, meaning we'll have at least another two weeks of questions asking, "is he back?"
Read More
