They Really Are Student-Athletes At USC Women's Golf
/While the top-ranked USC women lost the Pac-12's
Read MoreWhen one comes to the quality of the bunkers and other hazards we pass into realm of much dispute and argument. Primarily bunkers should be sand bunkers purely, not composed of gravel, stones or dirt. Whether this or that bunker is well placed, has caused more intensely heated arguments outside of the realms of religion, than has ever been my lot to listen to. C.B. MACDONALD
Available via Amazon (US): Golf Architecture For Normal People
Barnes And Noble (online and in stores)
Bookshop.org option to support local independent bookstores.
Reviews:
"Golf Architecture for Normal People . . . should be required reading for those who are not ashamed to admit they know little about the subject, and for those who think they do . . . . Golf course architecture geeks have trouble slimming their thoughts down to bite-sized chunks, but Shackelford has achieved a remarkable success here." —Independent (Ireland)
"From the relative newcomer who’s slowly getting hooked to those that have played the game for most of their lives and think they know a thing or two, Golf Architecture for Normal People provides a solid and sober perspective that will help everyone recognize why some golf courses are worth playing more than once while a single trip around others is all you’re ever likely to want or need." —Links Magazine.
“It’s a wonderful book. An easy read that arrives just in time for your summer reading list. If you’ve never thought about how an appreciation for course design could heighten your enjoyment of the game, you must check this out.”—The Peterborough Examiner
"As in his prior publications, in his newest book Shackelford shows a deep appreciation for what can be done to create a golf course that appeals to the broadest possible golfing audience…Shackelford’s prose is succinct, often witty, and accessible."—Cape Gazette
"Author, blogger and golf architecture expert Geoff Shackelford, who helped Gil Hanse design Rustic Canyon and restore 2023 U.S. Open host Los Angeles Country Club, taps into his passion by creating a guide that helps every golfer understand the nuances of course design. Published by Tatra Press, the 164-page hardcover book is a must-read for every golfer to better understand the game they love." —Golf Pass
"Shackelford provides an informative picture [and]...sprinkles in history lessons about those who planted the game's architectural roots, defines common terms and helps you hone your eyes when it comes to identifying some of the tricks of the trade."—FORE Magazine
"This new book does a great job demystifying golf course design ideas for average players, but can also be a beneficial read fro PGA Professionals and other golf course employees to get a better understanding of their home courses." —PGA Magazine
U.S. Amateur Champ Admits School Was Getting In The Way
/Matthew Fitzpatrick will be playing 36-a-day for three days to prepare f
Read MoreU.S. Am Champ Fitzpatrick Leaves Northwestern!?
/Shocking news as the 2013 U.S. Amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick leaves Northwestern's golf program after a strong fall start to his career,
Read MoreCollege Golf To Get Much More TV Coverage?
/Ryan Herrington reports from the annual NCAA Van Drivers convention in Las Vegas
Read MoreUSC Women Win Seventh-In-A-Row
/We've been spoiled a bit by Cal's amazing run of tournament wins last year, but it looks like the USC women are going to reset the standards in women's college golf. 
The defending national champions just won the Pac-12 Preview, an amazing 7th tournament win-in-a-row dating to the end of the 2012-13 season.
From a Golfweek.com report on USC edging rival UCLA.
The Bruins entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings while USC was No. 2. USC has now beat UCLA in both tournaments in which they’ve gone head to head.
USC won its previous three fall tournaments with three different lineups. The Pac-12 Preview marks the first time this fall the team that won last year's NCAA Championship has come together.
“I am so proud of our team,” head coach Andrea Gaston said. “To win four events this year with four different lineups is a testament to the depth and talent of our team. As their coach, I appreciate how hard they work, and how they just keep fighting on! This is truly a special group of young ladies.”
Six Minutes You're Not Getting Back Files: Charlie Rose & Condoleezza Rice Play Golf, Crack Jokes
/This CBS Morning Show feature managed to smother an otherwise nice gathering (today) organized by former Secretary of State
Read MoreHeartwarming Photos: The Wedels At The MacKenzie
/Even though Cal was busy
Read MoreHere We Go Again: Cal 3 For 3, Wins 5th Straight MacKenzie
/Cassie Stein crunches the numbers on
Read MoreUniversity Of Maryland Golf Course Eyed For Development
/We've been through this before with Stanford (threatened redevelopment) and Yale (neglect), so it's not a huge surprise that University of Maryland doesn't appreciate its 1959 George Cobb course so much that they're willing to plow a big chunk of what sounds like a community treasure.
For a new offramp, faculty house and an entrance to the school with a--big oy vey here--terrapin theme. 
Luz Lazo of the Washington Post reports.
But the plan has riled neighbors, who say the course is a community treasure that should be preserved. For more than five decades, the 150 acres of rolling green have been a favorite of college students and area golfers attracted by twilight specials. The public course, which recently underwent a $3.5 million upgrade, also attracts neighbors who come to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July and to listen to live bands Thursday evenings.
A website has been set up to help save the Certified Audubon Cooperative course, which is ranked 27th on Golfweek's list of best college courses.
NCAA Committee Approves TV-Friendly Changes To Finale
/Rarely should television be dictating formats, but it looks like college golf will get a great boost from having the individual title go to a fourth round for a Monday
Read MoreAlabama Cruises To NCAA Men's Title
/Ryan Herrington on Alabama, losers in a heartbreaking fashion at Riviera last year, edged Illinois 4-1 in Sunday's NCAA Men's Golf Championship.
Coach Jay Seawell summed up the return to the finals and this time, a win.
"It makes it more special," said Seawell afterward about taking care of unfinished business. "It makes you appreciate it even a great deal to more. It's so hard to even get here. And these guys have been on a mission, a mission, a mission. It is their championship and we won because of them.
Golfweek live blogged the match, here are the updates.
Rob Matre posted a gallery of final day images at his website.
Cal's Dream Season Ends A Day Short Of Title
/Ryan Herrington reports on the heartbreaking 3-2 loss for Cal to Illinois, costing them a chance at a title they seemed destined to win. Individual winner Max Homa lost a 20-hole match to Thomas Pieters that ultimately decided the outcome. Tracy Wilcox's photo gallery tells the story too.
Interesting that so many are upset by the NCAA's match play format, but I'm not sure how it's "fluky" or "unfair" for a team to win a match in this format. You have five opportunities and if you don't win at least three, well, you probably were just beat by the other team. I'm not seeing the luck element in play here!
Illinois faces Alabama in the final and Ron Balicki previews the match.
Homa Grabs NCAA Title But Not Before Another Depo!
/Capping off a dream season that included an amazing 61 at LA North en route to the Pac 12 title, Cal's Max Homa captured the NCAA individual title at Capital City Club. 
Ryan Herrington reports on the win, which came after Homa's second detention session before the committee.
"Personally coming in as a freshman I couldn't imagine being in a nationalchampionship let alone contending," Homa said. "To come out and beat [the best players in the country] when you need to, it just makes you feel so much better about your own game."
Lance Ringler reports on a slow play penalty costing Texas A&M a chance to advance to the match play.
Update on 2013-05-31 02:24 by Geoff
**Nick Masuda breaks down the eight teams and their opening day matches which kick off the NCAA's team match play.
News Of The Insane: NCAA Cracks Down On Car Washing Golfer
/Jeff Eisenberg on a female WCC golfer cited by the NCAA after a school self-reported violation because she washed her car on campus.
No, really. Thanks to readers Owen and Jeff for one I had to read twice to believe.
Portland basketball coach Eric Reveno tweeted about the violation Wednesday after he learned of it during conference meetings, punctuating his message with the hashtag #stopinsanity. A spokesman for the WCC did not know any further details, but a source familiar with the circumstances revealed what happened.
A WCC school self-reported an extra benefits violation to the NCAA when university officials caught one of their women's golfers washing her car on campus, according to the source. The NCAA ruled a secondary violation had occurred because the water and hose were not available to regular students and requested the golfer pay back $20, which was deemed to be the value of the water and use of the hose.
