Between 2001 and 2008 my great friend and former business partner and I participated in an annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Our objective was to drive donations (total donations exceeded $175,000) by leveraging business/personal relationships and playing as many holes of golf as possible in one day. Through the years, we attempted to surpass the previous year’s donations and total holes played via enhanced equipment and more efficient utilization of our dedicated ... continue reading...
Thirteen Principles of Golf Course Design
Dr. Alister MacKenzie (8/30/1870-1/6/1934) was a British designer of over fifty projects including Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Cypress Point and Augusta National. MacKenzie was a medical doctor (surgeon) by trade, serving in the Boer War and WWI. In addition to his skills as a surgeon, he was credited with advancing the concept of military camouflage. MacKenzie quote; "The brilliant successes of the Boer’s were due to great extent to their making the best use of natural cover and the ... continue reading...
The Craft
On page fifty-two of Mark Frost’s The Match, he describes Ben Hogan’s fastidious manner in thirteen simple, beautifully crafted words; “He tied his black tasseled Brogan’s* as meticulously as a man defuses a bomb”. Frost’s imagery conjures up thoughts of a dated locker room with a spike marked plank floor and a two foot wide worn wooden bench between rows of dark cherry lockers. Ben Hogan, with a perfectly pressed golf shirt and slacks along with his iconic white newsboy hat, ties his ... continue reading...
The Nuked Approach Shot: Rule 25-3
Many years ago, in my formative golfing years, I was playing in my first Member-Guest at Lancaster Country Club (an intimidating affair) with my new boss (previously referred to in “Classis Swings” as a “serious man who is serious about his golf game”). During the Thursday afternoon practice round, I was playing the uphill, dogleg right 15th hole when I nuked an approach shot over the 15th green onto the 11th green (which lies directly behind the 15th). As I approached the 11th green I was ... continue reading...
Francis We Just Met
Thursday: We were finishing our circuitous walking loop when we passed two gentlemen conversing in the middle of our street; one on foot, one on bicycle. We exchanged pleasantries and kept moving. Just before we arrived at our driveway, the bicyclist passed and began to circle like a Shriner in a miniature car at a parade, commenting, “You look like you might have played a little basketball in your day.” I nodded, confirming his assumption. The bicyclist went on to say, “I held Maravich to ... continue reading...
Wee-Met – The Site (Part 3)
The Country Club, founded in 1882, is the oldest club in the United States and was one of the five charter clubs that founded the USGA with the initial purpose to sponsor the undisputed amateur championship which began in 1895. The initial course build began in 1893, completed in 1899 (Clyde Course, Squirrel Course). An additional nine was constructed in 1927 by William S Flynn (designer of Shinnecock Hills, Cherry Hill Country Club, Cascades Course, Kittanset Club and Lancaster Country Club) ... continue reading...
Wee-Met Part 2 – “Wee” Continued
Eddie’s love for golf and the amateur game, his “alpha dog” mentality, “gift of gab” and wealth set numerous events in motion. Social Eddie became well connected, having golf memberships through the years at Cypress Point Club, Augusta National Golf Club, San Francisco Golf Club, Thunderbird Country Club, California Golf Club and Seminole Golf Club. His golf buddies were the likes of Bing Crosby, Bob Hope (traveled together to compete in the 1951 British Amateur), Ed Sullivan, Byron Nelson ... continue reading...