PGA Tour: New Foster-Designed Headquarters "Echoes the Iconic Island Green 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course"

Nick Mafi in Architectural Digest got the head start on this story (thanks reader Tim), but plans have been revealed for a PGA Tour headquarters rebuild. The 187,000 square feet of space will replace the current collection of buildings and put Taj Tim to shame as the largest building on PGA Tour Boulevard.

From Mafi's story detailing the Foster + Partners--Apple Park architects--design for the PGA Tour:

From Mafi's story:

The new, 187,000-square-foot structure will feature a clean, minimalist aesthetic, which makes the reflection off the surrounding natural lake all the more powerful, as it echoes the iconic Island Green 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course (an instantly recognizable setting for any golf lover). Narrow pillars support an overlay, which will allow employees to enjoy the outdoors even during inclement weather.

Good news smokers!

Floor-to-ceiling windows spread across each of the three floors in the building, not only allowing an ample amount of natural light into the building, but also blurring the distinction between indoors and out. "Inspired by the lush greenery of TPC Sawgrass and the beautiful Floridian light, the new PGA TOUR headquarters is designed as an extension of its surrounding landscape," said Nigel Dancey, head of studio at Foster + Partners. The interior of the new headquarters will feature an open layout, which promotes a non-hierarchical identity, as well as ample space for informal group collaborations.

Does this mean Jay Monahan will be working from a cubicle, too?

Here is the full press release:

PGA TOUR announces details of new global homewith Florida Governor Rick Scott

Officials reveal first set of renderings and highlight company’s
state and local economic impact

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – During a special presentation today at TPC Sawgrass, the PGA TOUR unveiled plans for its expansive new global home, which will consolidate area employees under one roof in Ponte Vedra Beach. Commissioner Jay Monahan made the announcement with Florida Governor Rick Scott, highlighting the PGA TOUR’s long-standing commitment to Northeast Florida and the positive economic impact it has and will continue to make in St. Johns County.

The new 187,000 square-foot headquarters, which is expected to be completed in 2020, will be located on a portion of the TOUR’s existing property on County Road 210 and surrounded by a large freshwater lake, echoing the iconic ‘Island Green’ 17th hole from THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Designed by acclaimed London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, the state-of-the-art building will house the more than 750 employees who currently occupy 17 buildings throughout the area, with the capacity to accommodate several hundred more. According to Foster + Partners, the design embraces new ways of working and collaboration for the PGA TOUR, as it responds to changing media landscapes and audiences in the future.

“We are excited for the opportunity to continue to grow in St. Johns County and believe the PGA TOUR’s new home will be a sense of pride for the entire area and state of Florida, while allowing us to become more efficient in the way we communicate, collaborate and operate as an organization,” Monahan said. “Although we have a growing international presence with offices and tournaments around the world, the PGA TOUR and our employees are very proud to be active members of The First Coast and Ponte Vedra Beach community, and call this area home.”

Melissa Glasgow, Director of Economic Development for St. Johns County said, “Golf is woven into the very fabric of our community, and having the world-renowned PGA TOUR headquartered here only serves to strengthen that bond. As the largest corporate headquarters in St. Johns County, the TOUR project represents an innovative public-private partnership that will generate extraordinary long-term benefits. We thank the TOUR for their continued investment in our community.”

The PGA TOUR moved to Ponte Vedra Beach from Washington, D.C., in the late 1970s with three employees who occupied a house in the Players Club development in Sawgrass. As the TOUR grew, it built the West Building, then the East Building – located at the entrance to TPC Sawgrass – that have served as the TOUR’s primary offices for more than 30 years. Continued growth has forced expansion to multiple buildings throughout Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to announce the PGA TOUR has chosen Ponte Vedra Beach for their new global headquarters and the creation of 300 new jobs. While this global company could have invested in any other state, they ultimately decided that Florida was the best location to grow their business and create new opportunities for our families. Our work to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations is helping Florida compete for these important jobs wins. I look forward to seeing the PGA TOUR’s continued success in Florida – the golf capital of the world.”

Monahan revealed the first set of renderings of the TOUR’s new global home via a video documentary. Foster + Partners describes the global home as being a pair of parallel three-story bays flanking a collaborative atrium. The glazed façades and atrium fill the building with natural light, also allowing for views out to the surrounding landscape throughout the structure. Underscoring the sustainable focus of the project, the building is targeting a LEED Gold rating. The roof has five large skylights that bring natural light into the building, and it is also envisioned that the roof will accommodate a series of photovoltaic panels that will support the building’s energy needs.

Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said, “Inspired by the lush greenery of TPC Sawgrass and the beautiful Floridian light, the new PGA TOUR headquarters is designed as an extension of its surrounding landscape. As the Global Home of the PGA TOUR brings the organization under one roof for the first time in decades, it signifies the progressive spirit of the TOUR.”

The two building bays will be connected by 20-foot-wide bridges that encourage chance meetings and allow for informal gatherings along the edges, without impeding the flow of people. Similar flexible workspaces are located on the wide terraces along the atrium and the far ends of the building on the upper floor, catering to the need for flexible workspaces to support an increasingly mobile workforce.

“As we strive to reach an increasingly diverse, more global fanbase and position the PGA TOUR for future success, we must be equipped to meet the ever-changing landscape in international business, media and technology,” Monahan said. “Moving forward with this beautiful new global home in Ponte Vedra Beach will allow for more creative, efficient collaboration among our staff and partners, and will set us on the right path toward achieving our goals as an organization.”

Tiger's Warm Up: Going With The Couples Method?

Twice I was assigned to cover Tiger Woods in The Open final rounds for Golf World, and both times it was great fun to note his ever move from course arrival to exit. I took particular interest in his warm-ups, which had the exact same process and number of shots struck give or take a ball or two. Here is my account from 2013 at Muirfield where I detail some of the meticulous routine.

So it was with interest I read in The Forecaddie that Tiger has been coming out swinging with his driver in a nod to the Fred Couples warm-up method. The theory being that starting out with wedges and huge divots is tougher on the back.

The PGA Tour put up this truncated look at his warm-up in the Hero World Challenge. It'll be fun to see next week at Torrey Pines if Woods reverts to his traditional method for tournament rounds or if the Couples approach is here to stay.

Best Of Golf I Saw On Instagram, 1-18-18

Grayson Murray slid down the PGA West Stadium's 16th face, and nearly tested the surface with his landing and club.

A 13-year-old named Oscar Murphy took down Dustin Johnson in the European Tour's Beat the Pro Challenge and got to play with his hero Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi. Look at the composure!

The time the Bryan Bros played Augusta National with the late chairman Hootie Johnson. Wesley Bryan makes his Masters debut this year.

And Fraserburgh in the snow.

We're all kids at heart. ❤️

Dreams do come true... 👀 13 year old Oscar Murphy takes down World Number One Dustin Johnson in the Beat the Pro Challenge, while playing with his hero @rorymcilroy 👏🏻

Here is a picture from when we played Augusta National 10 years ago. Crazy that in less then 3 months Wesley will be PLAYING in the @themasters for the first time!!! #boom #TBT

Firm fairways this morning ❄️

Why? The NGF's Inaugural List Of Golf's 100 Best

I'm not sure I'm buying Erik Matuszewski's explanation for the National Golf Foundation's new list highlighting 100 companies, but I'll give the Forbes--yes that Forbes--writer the benefit of the doubt since I can't think of any other reason the NGF needs to get in the rankings business.

But the scope of the overall golf economy – a $70 billion business -- runs far deeper.

It’s why the National Golf Foundation has released its inaugural list celebrating the top 100 businesses in golf, a platform that in some ways is the golf biz equivalent of the popular top 100 course rankings. The NGF GOLF 100 was created by the NGF to recognize the most successful, innovative and influential companies and organizations in the game, across a wide variety of categories.

SI Media Podcast With Jim Nantz Talking Masters, Golf, Romo

ShackHouse listeners--we're back next week!--know from his appearance in 2016 that when Jim Nantz gets going on a podcast, you wish it wouldn't end.

In his lengthy discussion with SI's Richard Deitsch for episode 156 of the SI Media Podcast, the CBS announcer discusses this Sunday's AFC Championship game. But mostly the conversation keeps coming back to golf and a passion for the game shared by Nantz with incredible new CBS analyst Tony Romo.

There is also plenty of discussion of the late Dick Enberg and a fun Keith Jackson golf story related to a young Nantz at the 1974 U.S. Open, as well as much Masters talk.

At the 55 minute mark or so, Nantz addresses the dreaded CEO interview issue (viewers assume he's just called them in for the fun of it!).

Around the 1 hour and 16 second mark he talks of his dream of announcing a U.S. Open. Come on Loomis, make it happen at Pebble Beach next year! Nantz on Featured Hole coverage in a booth overlooking 6, 7 and 8! Chop chop!

At the 1:20 mark he explains how he'd like to go out as an announcer.

It Was Fun While We Had Him: DJ Pivots On Distance Regulation

Long ago--December 2017 actually--Dustin Johnson had joined the bifurcate camp when discussing the matter with Golf Channel's Todd Lewis. The comments came as Tiger was more outspoken than ever on the harm distance jumps have had on the footprint of golf.

Well the world's No. 1's views pivoted this week in Abu Dhabi at the HSBC Championship and just days after nearly making a 433-yard (give or take) hole-in-one. Will Gray looks at DJ's shift for GolfChannel.com:

"It's not like we are dominating golf courses," Johnson said. "When was the last time you saw someone make the game too easy? I don't really understand what all the debate is about because it doesn't matter how far it goes; it is about getting it in the hole.

He did offer some hope that he understands a well-handled rollback would still allow him to shine:

"If the ball is limited then it is going to limit everyone," he said. "I'm still going to hit it that much further than I guess the average Tour player."

Perhaps the viewpoint shift came after he read Claude Harmon's Golf Digest My Shot, where DJ's instructor vented about distance rollback talk.

I'VE WATCHED DUSTIN JOHNSON spend three hours a day in the gym, seven days a week. When he's out on tour, there are no days off. I've watched him pay the price. To want to roll back equipment and put him and guys like him in a box, so they're confined to old benchmarks, drives me nuts. Is there another sport as determined to go backward as golf? Dustin is almost a physical freak to begin with, 6-4 and unbelievably strong and coordinated. When he hits a 9-iron 185, the TV commentators usually react with a laugh and an incredulous tone, as if it's the equipment more than the unbelievable clubhead speed and technical precision. It's just wrong.

Ratings Up For First Two PGA Tour Hawaii Events

Steve Elling at MorningRead.com follows up on the state of the Golf Channel-IATSE labor dispute with some insightful behind-the-scenes color as Thursday kicks off coverage from La Quinta and Hawaii.

Meanwhile, ratings for the strike-impacted Sony were up despite the limited production values.

VIEWERSHIP: Sunday’s Final Round of @SonyOpenHawaii was Golf Channel’s most-watched live coverage in a decade from this event. 524K average viewers, +86% vs. 2017 and +13% vs. 2016.

— Golf Channel PR (@GolfChannelPR) January 18, 2018

And this from Sports Media Watch on the Sentry TOC the week prior, with an increase despite the runaway win.

Final round coverage of the PGA Tournament of Champions had a 0.42 rating and 624,000 viewers on Golf Channel last Sunday, up 8% in ratings and 3% in viewership from last year (0.39, 608K) but down 19% and 22% respectively from Jordan Spieth‘s win in 2016 (0.52, 797K).

Third round action the previous day had a 0.37 (+48%) and 544,000 (+34%).

Inverness Says Goodbye To Their Dreadful Fazio Holes

I say this as someone who didn't sit through the board and members meetings, but outside of serving as a case study in how not to renovate, no one will be missing the George and Tom Fazio holes at Inverness.

As The Forecaddie notes, architect Andrew Green has taken them out and done his best to restore Donald Ross' Toledo masterpiece with help from new super John Zimmers. The added holes, long a stain one of America's most charming and wonderful designs, are gone.

While I've seen a few reports on the work, including this fine Toledo Blade piece by David Briggs that includes Green's master plan and details of the club's effort to land another major, I'm not sure the moment has been celebrated enough.

The added holes at Oak Hill and Inverness are becoming things of the now-distant past, hopefully exiled to afterthoughts but good reminders of what egomaniacal architects given free reign can do to a classic course.

Just Some Of Golf's Best From Instagram, 1-17-18

The best stuff I saw scrolling Instagram today...

Justin Thomas commits to the Genesis Open adding to an already stacked field (McIlroy, Johnson, Woods, with more big name commits expected).

Peter Millar has acquired GFore.

Snow at Troon's Railway hole.

A bold trick shot sent in by reader Tommy Vargas.

And the best all-access PGA Tour credential I've ever seen belongs to Marley Bear.

Add @justinthomas34 to the commitment list for the 2018 #genesisopen. Welcome to the club, JT!

We've been crowned. #RefinedRebellion #GFORExPM #DisruptiveLuxury @petermillar

A spectacular shot from behind the green on 'The Railway' 11th hole at #RoyalTroon 📷: @cunningolf

This is what you do after the last beer! 🎯 @golf_gods @foreplaypod @coloradogolfblog @golfballed @whistlesports @sportbible @barstoolsports

Meet Marley Bear. 🐶 The 11-year-old pup helps the course superintendent scare off unwanted wildlife from the grounds of the @careerbuilderchallenge. He's a good boy.

LPGA Tour Coming To Classy Old Wilshire CC

The Forecaddie explains the return of big time pro golf to Wilshire Country Club, one of the few courses on earth to have hosted all three tours. The historic LA-club is an underrated Norman MacBeth masterwork loaded with character and rich in tournament history.

And now Korean botox maker HUGEL will sponsor at least three years of LPGA golf there, with the middle year marking the club's centennial.

Ran Morrissett's GolfClubAtlas.com review if you aren't familiar.

Just announced! Wilshire Country Club will host the LPGA TOUR April 16-22, 2018 for the HUGEL-JTBC Open! #LPGA #wilshirecountryclub #SCPGA

"Golf Channel, union still at odds as strike continues"

We'll find out during CareerBuilder Challenge and Mitsubishi Electric (PGA Tour Champions) coverage just how impacted coverage is, but I suspect we won't see anything like Sunday's Sony Open telecast.

Martin Kaufmann writing for Golfweek.com with this update on the strike against Golf Channel by the union representing the production crews.

“Our contingency plans are fully operational …,” Golf Channel spokesman David Schaefer said. “We will continue to deliver coverage with this week’s full slate of tournaments, as well as support the union members who have chosen to come back to work.”

The dispute between Golf Channel and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents about 350 technicians, has been simmering for several years.

Randy Koury, a Golf Channel cameraman and union steward, said that the technicians already were unhappy with two changes Golf Channel made to pay and benefits four years ago, after it was folded into the NBC Sports Group: cutting the work day from 10 hours to 8 hours – effectively a 20 percent pay cut – and eliminating catering of two meals without increasing the per diem.

Koury said those changes “were the tipping point” that led the technicians to unionize.

Lawrenson's Rebuts Golf's "Most Boring" Status

1616 members of the British public were asked to vote on the most exciting and boring sports to watch and even though it's a country that can be enthralled by a three-day cricket match, golf and American football got the most votes.

A few days later, the Daily Mail's veteran golf scribe Derek Lawrenson penned this measured and proper rebuttal. A highlight:

The truth of the matter, though, is that golf will never score highly in such polls. It really isn't for everyone. It's like reading a book. It's time-consuming and requires serious levels of concentration but, oh, what a world awaits if you knuckle down.

That's why people who do love golf or reading books or watching cricket tend to be such devotees.

If you think golf's boring, I wouldn't seek to convince you otherwise. I get it.

However, just as hardback book sales refuse to dip, there will remain enough of us with an appetite for sports that fall back on the old adage: 'The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.'

Chairman Of The (PAC) Board? Spieth v. Hurley!

The PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council and Policy Board are about as first world as it gets in terms of debate serious life questions, but as Will Gray notes at GolfChannel.com, Jordan Spieth has been selected by current PAC members to face Billy Hurley for a chance to sit on the PGA Tour Policy Board.

In the best interests of the game, players please vote for Mr. Hurley. Golf needs its superstars eating, sleeping, practicing and doing everything but sitting in meetings voting on executive compensation. Besides, if Jordan needs anything from Policy Board member Randall Stephenson, he knows where to find the AT&T CEO.

From Gray's report, the voters:

In addition to Spieth and Hurley, other PAC members for 2018 include Daniel Berger, Paul Casey, Stewart Cink, Chesson Hadley, James Hahn, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Anirban Lahiri, Geoff Ogilvy, Sam Saunders, Chris Stroud, Justin Thomas, Kyle Thompson and Cameron Tringale.

Speaking of Spieth, we discussed biggest needle movers in golf under 40 on Golf Central. I took Spieth, Matt Adams picked, well, several.

Instagram Golf From 1-16-18: HSBC Antics Are Back (Sort Of)

So much for the HSBC folks toning down the pre-tournament hype activities following last year's Shanghai &*^%show.

Henrik Stenson gets on a moving camel at an HSBC tournament...there's a joke in that somewhere.

There was some pre-tournament falconry. That's more like it!

A fun old image of Arnold Palmer and Bob Hope in the good ole days of the Careerbuilder Challenge. You know Palmer won five Careerbuilders, right?

Sam Saunders was on hand for the Arnold Palmer statue dedication at The King's beloved desert home club.

There was no golf at Royal Dornoch Tuesday...

When in the Middle East 🐪 @henrikstenson #ADGolfChamps

'1 up Rory. First birdie of the week!!' 📸 @justinprose99 #ADGolfChamps

45 years ago, Arnold Palmer won his 62nd and final TOUR win at the 1973 Bob Hope Desert Classic now known as the @careerbuilderchallenge. He referred to that victory as "the sweetest ever."

Some highlights from today's unveiling of the iconic Arnold Palmer statue. Tradition is only one of three locations housing this beautiful piece and we are honored to be stewards of such a wonderful tribute to Mr. Palmer's #legacy. We were thrilled to have his grandson, Sam Saunders, at today's special event.

Game of golf anyone 😂 ❄️. #golf #snow #royaldornoch #scottishgolf #snowing #pgapro #lpga #womensgolf

Coul Links Fight: "The billionaire vs. the fly"

Thanks to reader Steven for Chris Baraniuk's pretty one-sided take on Coul Links and the efforts to block this proposed Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design near Dornoch.

It was hard to forge through the piece after seeing the architects identified as "developers." And I am curious about branding Mike Keiser a billionaire, but mostly I was struck that the fight now seems to be over preserving the site due to a fly.

Now, I love all critters and never want to see golf invading a rare habitat but...

The specimen is a few millimeters in length, but it’s easy to make out the chunkiness of its thorax and the proud shape of its wings.

This is Botanophila fonsecai, Fonseca’s seed fly. It was caught in 1996 on a beach beside Dornoch in northeast Scotland, and it’s part of a collection being cataloged by Stephen Moran, an entomologist who lives nearby.

Presented in a box full of remarkably similar species, the fly does not look particularly special — and yet it is.

As far as we know, Botanophila fonsecai exists in only one place in the world: a roughly six-mile strip of coastline, adjacent to Dornoch and the nearby village of Embo. Its entire world is estimated to be less than a single square mile; its population size is unknown.

If this fine project dies because of a fly, then we know co-developer Todd Warnock was right, this was about the current American president and his course near Aberdeen.