2012 In Review And 2013's New Look

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GeoffShackelford.com approaches its 10th anniversary after debuting in March, 2003, coinciding with the publication of Grounds for Golf. The site became a full-fledged blog with the release of The Future of Golf, and the themes in that book (the game is going to hell, etc.) have largely fueled the content to this day. (Notwithstanding the occasional forays into fire hydrant fender-benders, Christmas gift rings, etc.)

For 2013 the art department has come up with a new banner inspired by 1920s orange crate art, accented by a few personal touches like "The Captain" golf ball that may have been architect George Thomas's, a retention of the Hollywood sign homage on the hills of Simi Valley, and a new font inspired by Musselburgh's "The Cradle of Golf" sign. The golf scene is Rustic Canyon's first hole and that is yours truly whapping one down the first fairway shortly before the course opened in, gulp, 2003.

As always, thanks to the art department and site EVP Tom Nacarrato for his inspiration, wisdom and creativity. If you need Photoshop work, especially for golf course scenes like the ones he cooks up for architects making pitches to clients, please check out his website. I can personally attest to his work having taken ideas that became reality only because he could make golfers see how their modified course would look.

2012 marked year two as a partner with GolfDigest.com and hopefully those of you concerned the choice of content or my tone would change dramatically have had your concerns assuaged. I'm happy to report we march on in year three starting today.

Statistically, because of a two-month blackout on Google Analytics, I'm not entirely confident in their numbers, but I am pleased to report that in New Jersey the site's number one city remains Far Hills, I'm still popular (statistically anyway) in Ponte Vedra and the St. Andrews audience is growing! 

As with my 2012 resolution, I continue to hope to have more video coverage (as PGA Tour's regulations allow), more podcasts, more architecture and more Twitter coverage. With the many state of the game issues expected to arise in 2013, there will continue to be a nice variety of topics covered both from home in Santa Monica and on the road at various tournaments for Golf World.

With that, I want to thank everyone for reading, for your comments and your passion for the sport we all admire.

Happy New Year!

Where The Turf Meets The Turf: Musselburgh Golf & Racing

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As we wrap up the year I got around to reviewing my photos and footage from a fantastic day of golf and racing at the world's oldest continuously played links. Even though it only takes 90 minutes or so to play, it's amazing how many folks drive by the course on the way to the more famous layouts. So with that in mind, I highly recommend a round at Musselburgh (especially with the hickories for hire).
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Golf Digest's 2013 "100 Greatest" Ranking...

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...arrives a little early! I'm not sure why the change, but what normally comes out three months from now is on newstands or on tablet editions for subscribers (or single issue downloaders).

Pictured is No. 15, The Alotian Club where they appear to have replicated the Great Wall only as a cart parth embankment.

That said, here is the top 20 for online readers where Pine Valley moves back ahead of Augusta National in the top spot.

Great Places In The Game: 4th At Musselburgh And Mrs. Forman's

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This summer I had the privilege of playing a round with hickories at Musselburgh Links, recognized as the oldest course in the world by Guiness. The first documented play was in 1672, though its believed Mary, Queen of Scots whapped something resembling a ball around here in 1567.

I chose to focus in on the fourth hole for now because it's a sensational par-4 that incorporates the surrounding racetrack. There is also the hole's ties to Mrs. Forman's restaurant behind the green. Through the hatch in the wall where she sold refreshments to golfers is now a window, the charming restaurant and pub pays homage to its predecessor with numerous wall photos of the old days along with excellent food. And of course, they still serve golfers on the back patio.

Musselburgh and its race course, to be featured in a separate video and included in a story next July for Golf Digest's Open Championship preview, are must stops for any golfers making the pilgrimmage to East Lothian.

The YouTube video, which I recommend watching at the enlarged size for full effect compared to the embedded version below.

"I can remember walking from campus to Old Town with my golf bag to go play."

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John Dell files a super story on Bill Coore and team restoring Old Town Club, a private Perry Maxwell-designed club course he played while at Wake Forest.

There is also an accompanying video by Dell who interviews superintendent O'Neil Crouch and showing some of the construction process.

In his restoration, Coore used old aerial photos found by club members to get an idea of what the course looked like in 1939. The photos showed the original design, but the course had lost some of its character because of time and change.

This was also encouraging to read:

“He’s so busy and has so many projects that if we would have waited, he wouldn’t have been available until 2016,” said head pro Jim Holt, who has been at Old Town since 1979.