30 Years For 30 Years Of Water: Pasatiempo
/Jason Scott Deegan at GolfAdvisor.com with splendid news from Santa Cruz
Read MoreThe only course that will remain difficult under all conditions will be one that is designed and kept for golf of a stereotyped, monotonous character, and this makes a most uninteresting proposition. BOBBY JONES
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
Golf Scientists: Poa Greens The Cause Of All World Problems
/Like blimp shots of Bel-Air, blaming poa annua for every missed putt is a West Coast tradition
Read MoreGolf Industry Show Wrap: More Affordable Sustainability?
/The annual Golf Industry Show wrapped in San Diego and the mood certainly seemed positive. Perhaps it was the location--not Orlando--because I sensed the good vibes ran deeper than normal. 
So many of the products and folks we talked to for Golf Channel's Morning Drive gave the impression that forward-thinking ways are finally leading to affordable sustainability solutions.
There were also a few first world solution solvers, like grass on top of irrigation heads and drones to detect turf health.
Here are the four GIS pieces shot and produced by Donald Goertz and hosted by yours truly.
Country Club Stigma Files: OC Water Reduction To End For CC's
/Aaron Orlowski in the Orange County Register looks at the outrage over country clubs
Read MoreBethpage Red U.S. Open Qualifier Reduced To 17 Holes
/According to Newsday's Mark Herrmann
Read More"Another challenge for golf is how conspicuously it uses water."
/The Wall Street Journal's John Paul Newport
Read MoreNPR: California Golf Course Ethically Keeps Greens Green
/Great to see NPR doing a story on a golf course that saves water:
Read MoreBay Hill Greens "Shaggy" Before Getting Re-grassed...
/Golfweek's Alex Miceli reports that players arriving at Bay Hill Monday
Read MoreSome Hole Locations Don't Need To Be Changed, Files...
/Nice spot Luke Kerr-Dineen and even better
Read MoreVideo And Thoughts: 2015 Golf Industry Show Wrap
/It's probably unwise to gauge the health of an industry based on conventions
Read MoreThe "Winter Care" Program At Chambers Bay
/As they get ready to play off mats at St. Andrews in the run-up to The Open
Read More"With flush aquifer, Coachella Valley golf courses slow to conserve"
/Matt Stevens of the Los Angeles Times looks at the Coachella Valley's
Read MoreThe Daily Show On Detroit's Water Shutoff
/Jessica Williams investigates Detroit's water shutoffs targeting some of the city's poorest residents not paying their bills while not targeting major businesses and golf courses who...are not paying their bills.
The segment (thanks reader Jeff):
USGA Restores Championship Agronomist Job, Other Changes
/Guy Cipriano reports on the revamped USGA Green Section
Read MoreGCSAA: Dan Jenkins To Receive The Old Tom Morris Award
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Naturally, the Ancient Twitterer had a witty line ready to go for the press release acceptance:
"I'm honored to win this award, especially named for a guy who I'm almost as old as," Jenkins quipped in reference to Old Tom Morris. "It's terrific. I didn't know a lot about grass, but I knew a lot of superintendents all around town. The profession has made a lot of progress. Courses nowadays are so consistently wonderful with all the things they can do with them."
