Renovating TPC Scottsdale: Careful Please!

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Working off of reports this week from Adam Lawrence and Matt Ginella, I pen a short Local Knowledge plea for Tom Weiskopf to tread carefully in renovating the TPC Scottsdale. Yes, it could get better and prettier, but there is also the potential to make it less appealing (as we've seen too many times when courses are renovated). The good news here is that Weiskopf is the original designer and understands the theatrical nature of the original design.

Meanwhile for those interested in a further study of the numbers, check out Peter Corbett's story from May of 2013 when citizens and officials were debating the funding of the next $15 million renovation.

The latest deal has prompted critics, citing the losses from operating the golf course, to pressure city officials to get a better deal for Scottsdale taxpayers.

Those critics, a loosely organized group of Scottsdale residents concerned about municipal spending, say the new agreement with PGA Tour Inc. to continue running TPC Scottsdale will be an additional drain on city coffers.

They also contend the city is providing an illegal subsidy to the PGA Tour by having Scottsdale residents pay for $15 million in renovations of the TPC Stadium Course and clubhouse starting next year.

Under the lease amendment, which was unanimously approved by the City Council in December, the PGA Tour will increase its fees paid to Scottsdale by $4 million over 20 years.

State Of The Game Podcast 33: Avery, DMD's & More

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We at State of the Game don't want to overextend ourselves with the new wraparound schedule, so after a not so short holiday hiatus we are back with episode 33.

Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and yours truly talk to Golf World contributing writer Brett Avery about the new Golf World 100 Best Modern Players ranking. I think when you hear Brett and also see the package in Golf World, you'll come away realizing how incredible Tiger has been over the last fifteen years. To see someone quantify it puts things in perspective.

We also cover the upcoming decision on distance measuring devices, and feed off of Brandel Chamblee's recent articles on the best and worst developments in the game.

As always, you can listen below, download the MP3 or listen/subscribe via iTunes.

Time Lapse Video: 140,000 Used Golf Balls Turned Into Logo

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A time lapse video of the Waste Management floating signage in TPC Scottsdale's 18th hole lake designed by the Maker Twins. It's a lot of work for a floating logo but hey, some of us are watching, so it worked.

 

Post by Maker Twins.