ANALYSIS OF A GOLF COURSE

Masa Nishijima, a successful golf course commentator, his book Analysis of a Golf Course is a bestseller in Japan. Masa is passionate about golf course and he has visited 56 countries and played 2030 courses along the way. He is a panelist and international board member for Golf Magazine's Top100 course in the World and International consultant of a famous web-site "Top 100 courses of the World"





12/18/2011

Victoria GC return to TOP100 2013?

           Photo by Victoria GC

Victoria GC AUS was listed in GOLF Magazine Top100 in the world until 1997.
They did a wonderful restoration past two years.
Restoring the Mackenzie bunkers.
My friend's Darius Oliver said.
" Victoria is a wonderful old golf courses in great shape right now.
It deserves a place on the Top 100 World."
We should visit Victoria again.
MASA

11/25/2011

Asian Golf Monthly has announced the best courses in Asia Pacific



Asian Golf Monthly has Announced The Best Golf Courses in Asia Pacific
Best New course is Stoneforest G&CC KunMing China
Winner is Danang GC DaNang Vietnum.
An attached photo is GM of Stoneforest and his secretary's Miss Rain
at prize presentation dinner.
Rain speaks English & Japanese fluently.

11/21/2011

Great bunkering "Musashi CC Toyooka Course"

                                 Musashi CC Toyooka Cse #15 

I visited Musashi CC Toyooka course after a long time.
It was regrettable that Seiichi Inoue's "cookie cut bunker" had almost disappeared

by remodeling Japan Open in 2009.
However, #15 of 372yrds Short Par4 might be one of best bunkering hole in Japan.
I choose # 15 to be best 50 holes of Japan.

Good Hole!

                                                 Green-side bunkers #15

Musashi CC Toyooka, only 20 min by car from Tokyo GC, Kasumigaseki CC.
 I recommend you to visit here after TokyoGC & kasumigaseki CC.
If there is room in your schedule.


                                    #18 right side of fairway, you will see very few cookie cutting bunker


MASA

10/15/2011

The truth of Charles Hugh Alison Part Two

    Kawana Oshima Cse #1

                Hidden Gem  Kawana Oshima course

Kawana is not only Fuji course.
A lot of guests play only Fuji course.
However, you have forgotten another wonderful experience.
Do not forget there is Oshima course in Kawana, too.
Oshima course was established in 1928.
Original designed is Komyo Ohtani.
And, some holes was redesigned by the idea of C.H.Alison.
But, Kawana made the description of architect only Ohtani.
The reason is that there is no record that Alison remodeled.
However, in book Colt&Co by Fred Hawtree
It is described as "Kawana Oshima Cse redesigned CHA 1936"
I verified which holes Alison had done in touch redesign


     #3 Kaigan Dori

Result of my verification. The following matters seem for Alison to have touched.
#3 Green complexes
#4 Bunkering
#8 Route of two ways that uses height of geographical features.
     Very interesting short Par 5 hole !
     Tee shot is blind for the height. The slope of geographical features goes down
      the left to the right, and the advantage to 2nd shot arises by the ball's rolling.
     In case of not being at the position that reaches green by make 2 shots.
     It is also possible that you aim at 2nd shot at the position where a left side is high,
     and reach the vicinity of green by the ball's rolling.
     but it is a risk and a reward.
#9 Diagonal Tee box moved.
#12 Green site was moved.
#18 Plateau & punchbowl(green surface is not punchbowl style)


     #6  S.O.S

    #8   Ochudo Mawari   Two ways

I took Tom Doak and Brian Schneider and played Oshima 2009.
Tom was said to me.
"Masa I'm interested in Oshima for redesign work, maybe more than Fuji !"
I thought that Tom was surely interesting.
How much golfers visit Kawana if Tom does redesign work for Oshima course?
It profits the maximum for Kawana.

Oshima couse has nickname in holes.
#1 Kumagai's Adventure
#2 Tametomo promnade
#3 Kaigan Dori (seaside coast)
#4 Good-bye
#5 Mikaerizaka
#6 S.O.S
#7 Ohtani's Smile
#8 Ochudo Mawari
#9 W&D(Wife and Drink)


    #13   Vini Vidi Vici

#10 Terrace
#11 Links land
#12 North Col
#13 Veni Vidi Vici (Maxim of Julius Caesar)
       Drive-able4 of 280 yards
       with down slope of the height difference 180 feet.
#14 Twin
#15 Hodogaya
#16 Jigoku Dani
#17 Chanps-Elysees
#18 Tokaido


    #12 North Col


     #18  Tokaido   High plateau

Total 5,711 yrds PAR70.
Are you dissatisfied with total yardage?
However, the score of you of Oshima course might be worse than Fuji course.

MASA

10/14/2011

Rees Jones The Open Doctor also in Japan


Ibaraki CC west course by which Rees Jones had done redesigned opened on September 7 2011.
Leads Associate is Bryce Swanson.
Ibarak west course was alternate greens. They remodeled it to single green complexes.
Original of Ibaraki west is designed by Seiichi Inoue.
After Inoue passed away, club committees has remodeled course many times.
Design concept of Inoue had already disappeared when Rees visited there for the first time.

The defect of Ibaraki CC was routing plan.
I was expecting that Rees would design the change in the layout.
However, it was not done from the discussion with club committees.
I regret it some.
Anyway, Ibaraki west plans Japan Open in the near future.
Rees is "The Open Doctor" also in Japan.

MASA

9/18/2011

The truth of Charles Hugh Alison Part one

    Alison draws some connected bunkers. It was the same also in Tokyo GC Asaka course.

I introduced Fujisawa CC from the list of Lost links of Japan last year.
Club house built in 1932 is a in existence though Course disappeared.
Mr Mizuno of the library manager of Tokyo GC examined the relation between
Tokyo GC Asaka Cse and Fujisawa.
He found one matter from a lot of material.
It had been to have described Alison to the design of Fujisawa as an adviser.
The designer of Fujisawa CC is Shiro Akaboshi.
However, Alison drew the layout chart.
And, course was made according to it.
In a word, the name of the designer should be formally " Akaboshi/Alison."



Please see course list described in book "Colt &Co" by Fred Hawtree.

It is described to the list of Japan of Alison as Fuji CC Original CHA 1932.
However, Fuji CC doesn't exist in Japan at that time.
Fuji CC was Fujisawa CC.

As a reason for the difference of the club name.
When Alison visits. The club committee has might the idea named Fuji CC.
It is because magnificent Mont Fuji was able to be commanded from golf course.
Alison has not described the name of Akaboshi to the designer.
It introduces it as a work of own Solo.
It is correct.
Bunkering of this layout is not in the Akaboshi brother's design philosophy.
They were long hitters who measured the same distance as Gene Sarazen.
And, they disliked fairway bunker and cross bunker that prevented long drive.
It can be understood from Abiko and Hakone, etc. that are their typical works.
Alison designed golf courses four original in Japan.
but, two in that were lost Links. It's Tokyo GC Asaka course and Fujisawa CC.

Geoff Shackelford introduces the report of Tom MacWood in his Blog.
"For architecture junkies, C.H. Alison's trip to Japan has always been one of the greater mysteries.
What did he do?
Was his work as dynamic there as it was elsewhere?
And of course, why did the better courses lose many of their best features?
Tom MacWood contributes another outstanding "In My Opinion" piece to golfclubatlas.com.
You'll want to print this one out...
well, if you're an architecture junkie."


    This figure is a comparison of Golf course to a present residential quarter.



MASA

9/08/2011

Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy

Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy
Names Ann Maness Director of College Placement
Former Coastal Carolina Standout Navigates Students through Junior Golf
(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy – the world’s only academy to combine training, academics and competition -- today announces Ann Maness has been named director of college placement.
A native of Aynor, S.C., Maness played collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University and was a four-time Big South All-Conference player. During her career, she collected several academic and athletic accolades including: Big South Conference Freshman of the Year and team MVP (2006); Big South President’s List (2008); and Coastal Carolina University President’s List (2009). She holds the Big South Conference single-round record of 68.
As director of college placement, Maness will work with Hank Haney IJGA students from 25 countries and 45 U.S. states to develop tournament schedules, resumes and facilitate communication with collegiate coaches.
“Each student at Hank Haney IJGA has different goals but they all share a passion for golf,” says Maness. “Former players have gone on to play at some of the top collegiate programs in the country and I look forward to helping our current class continue the trend.”
Hank Haney IJGA is the only junior golf academy to have a full-time director of college placement on staff, providing individualized attention for competing at the next level. Up to 94 percent of previous graduating classes have received college golf scholarships at schools such as Oklahoma State University, University of Southern California, University of Georgia, University of Virginia and University of Alabama.
“Ann is highly educated on navigating our students and their parents through the world of junior golf to ultimately receive a college golf scholarship,” says Peter Orrell, President and CEO of Junior Sports Corporation, owner and operator of Hank Haney IJGA. “Her experience as a player in junior and collegiate golf will benefit each student in finding the right fit academically and athletically at the collegiate level.”
Maness recently worked for the South Carolina Junior Golf Association as director of the Horry and Georgetown County chapters. She also served in tournament operations for the American Junior Golf Association and at the University of South Carolina Union at Laurens as an enrollment coordinator. Maness replaces Lauren Harling who accepted a position as assistant women’s golf coach at Indiana University, her alma mater.
Hank Haney IJGA opened in 1995 with only six golfers. Since then, graduates have gone on to play the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and at top NCAA Division I schools. Hank Haney serves as Director of Instruction and his students have gone on to win every major championship in professional, collegiate, amateur and junior golf.
The full-time golf program at Hank Haney IJGA consists of spending a half day on full swing, short game, course management, mental preparation and fitness training. For the other part of the day, students in grades five through 12 attend Heritage Academy to complete academic requirements with extensive offerings in college preparatory and honors courses.
From September until May, students compete on the International Junior Golf Tour in two and three-day events, with over 60 tournaments annually held each weekend.
About Junior Sports Corporation
Located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, JSC owns and operates:
Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy (www.IJGA.com) is the world’s only academy to combine training, competition and academics for serious junior golfers.  Director of Instruction Hank Haney – coach to winners of every major championship on the PGA Tour – and his elite staff train junior golfers from more than 25 countries and 45 states.
The International Junior Golf Tour (www.IJGT.com) hosts 60 tournaments annually and is the only junior golf tour with events every weekend during the September-to-May school year.
Established in May 2011, the Ivan Lendl Junior Tennis Academy (www.LendlTennis.com) produces the finest tennis training and competition for junior students to ultimately reach the college or professional ranks. Ivan Lendl, former World No. 1 player and winner of eight Grand Slam singles titles, serves as Director of Instruction and is dedicated to the development of each junior tennis player.
Heritage Academy (www.HeritageHHI.com) provides progressive, diverse academic instruction for students from grades five to 12 who pursue extra-curricular passions, such as golf at Hank Haney IJGA and tennis at Ivan Lendl IJTA.
Hilton Head Island is easily accessible by most major airlines through Hilton Head Island (HHI), Savannah (SAV), Charleston (CHS) and Columbia (CAE) airports.
END

8/24/2011

Tom Ramsey passed away


Tom Ramsey passed away on June 29.
He was the most famous golf course commentator in Australia.

MASA

8/12/2011

Planet Golf Top100 Course Ranking




My friend's Darius Oliver announced his own TOP100 of the world.
 His course judgement is very interesting.
Please see the following.
      ↓
Planet Golf

8/05/2011

CNN HEROES Support Heroes in Japan with CNN

Support Heroes in Japan with CNN
Japanese Webpage for CNN Heroes Launches on the CNNj site

There are many heroes in Japan working in various fields to make the world a little better.  Help make the wonderful heroes in Japan known to the rest of the world through the special campaign CNN Heroes on CNN networks.

On July 29th,2011 JCTV launched CNN Heroes special Japanese webpage on http://www.jctv.co.jp/cnnj/heroes, to explain CNN Heroes and know how you can involve.
CNN Heroes starts with your nomination on CNN.com of a hero you know. Find out how, and nominate a hero you know by Wednesday, August 31st.

About CNN Heroes
CNN Heroes is a CNN campaign that puts the spotlight on ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary deeds in areas ranging from the environment to human rights. Now in its 5th year, CNN Heroes has been showing how efforts by a single individual can make a difference in the world. 
CNN is encouraging viewers to nominate ‘everyday heroes’ from all over the world.  A new CNN Hero will be featured each week on CNNj and CNN.com.  A special CNN editorial board narrows down the Top 10 CNN Heroes, who will be presented at the gala ‘CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute’ in December. 

From these 10, the CNN Hero of the Year will be selected based on votes cast by viewers on CNN.com. 

The audience response each year is enormous and continues to grow. In 2010, over 10,000 CNN Hero nominations from viewers in 100 countries were submitted.  As a result of the show each year, the Top 10 Heroes receive countless donations, additional volunteers and traffic to each of their websites, increasing awareness of the Heroes’ causes and bringing light to the important issues they are addressing.  

About CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute
The culmination of the year long CNN Heroes campaign, ‘CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute’.  CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will host the awards ceremony in which the top 10 heroes will be featured, including musical performances and documentary tributes to those being honored as well as to their accomplishments and continued work. Many celebrities who support the CNN Heroes campaign will be in attendance, and special performances by famous artists are scheduled.  The Hero of the Year will also be announced from among the top 10 heroes.

Anuradha Koirala of the NGO Maiti Nepal, who fights against sex trafficking of woman and girls in Nepal, was chosen as the Hero of the Year in 2010.  The 33 Chilean coal miners who were trapped and rescued in 2010 also joined the awards ceremony as special guests.  In addition, actors Kiefer Sutherland, Halle Berry, and Demi Moore were in attendance to present the Heroes as well as rock group Bon Jovi, R&B singer John Legend for special live performances.

The 2011 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute will be broadcast live in early December on CNNj and CNN/US HD channels.

CNNj is available through cable TVs, SkyPerfecTV! e2 and more.
CNN/US HD is available through Sky PerfectTV! Ch.679.
For CNNj program information, please visit CNNj site (http://www.jctv.co.jp/cnnj)
CNNj&CNN/US HD are 24-hour news channel which reacts to live events and breaking news. Therefore, program schedules are subject to change at short notice.


8/03/2011

TOP100 in the World & US 2011

Golf.com announced Golf Magazine Top100 courses in the World & US 2011

                ↓
Golf Magazine TOP100 2011



MASA

7/29/2011

Newcomers list of Top100 ranking 2011


Golf.com announced newcomers list of Top100 ranking 2011

Castle Stuart (#56 World) Scotland
Diamante (Dunes) (#58 World) Mexico

Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes (#43 US /#74 World) Oregon USA
Barnbougle Dunes - Lost Farm (#82 World) Tasmania AUS

Gozzer Ranch (#70 US)
The Alotian (#76 US)
Caves Valley (#82 US)
California Golf Club of San Francisco (#97 US)



Add.
The highest World  Ranking in newcomers record
was Ranked #17(1997) of Sand Hills
Next was Pacific Dunes Ranked #26(2001)

The highest World Ranking in newcomers from Scotland
Loch Lomond ranked #44 (1995)


MASA

7/12/2011

First True Links in Canada




First modern links of Canada,
Cabot Links will become pre-open next month.
Main designer is Rod Whitman.
In addition, Ben Cowen Dewar and Ran Morrissett, etc. participate in
the consultant of the project, and they are offering advice that has discernment.




This project started  2008.
It's made spending three and a half years.
Great course is not completed only by the theory of designers.
Specialists' opinions are important, like Ben and Ran etc there.
In fact, history of greatest courses,a wonderful partner existed in designer.
It is a candidate paid attention to by course ranking in 2013.




Cabot links is in located Inverness of Nova Scotia.
One of best course of Canada "Cape Breton Highlands Links" is near by.
There are direct flights to Halifax International Airport from most
major cities in North America and Europe.
Major carriers include Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta and
United Airlines, US Airways

MASA

7/01/2011

Inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Coming to Mission Hills China

Inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Coming to Mission Hills China

China's First 'Girls Only' Junior Event to Award Top Three Finishers Berths in
AJGA's 2012 ANNIKA Invitational
(SHENZHEN, China) -- Mission Hills Group -- impetus for China's golf boom and owner and operator of the world's largest golf club -- announces the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills is coming to China.

China's first "girls only" junior tournament will be played August 24-26 on Annika's namesake course, one of 12 at the world's largest golf club. The 54-hole stroke-play competition will feature two divisions -- Girls Under 18 (born 1993-95) and Girls Under 15 (born 1996-99) -- and is open to players from countries throughout the world.

The three low scorers, regardless of division, will win coveted berths in the American Junior Golf Association's (AJGA) 2012 ANNIKA Invitational in Orlando, Florida. The AJGA is widely regarded as the United States' finest junior golf circuit, and has awarded the ANNIKA Invitational in Orlando two national awards, including "Best Invitational" for girls.

"We enjoy a long-standing relationship with Annika and are excited to have helped create China's first 'girls only' junior championship," says Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Golf Club. "She shares our devotion to developing the stars of tomorrow, both on and off the golf course, by providing access to tournament playing conditions, world-class instruction and educational opportunities."

"I am very excited to expand the ANNIKA Invitational format to Mission Hills in China," says Annika. "Mission Hills has been a leader in growing junior golf throughout Asia, so I am extremely pleased to partner with them to bring the first girls-only event to China. I want girls around the world to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, just like I did."

Annika, winner of 89 professional tournaments (72 on the LPGA Tour) and 10 major championships during her 15-year Hall-of-Fame career, will be at Mission Hills during the event. She will host a number of activities, including skills clinics for competitors.

The Annika Course represents her first foray into golf design. Opened in 2004, highlights are spectacular mountains rising more than 300 feet above fairways and several panoramic vistas of the entire Mission Hills property. Well-manicured landscaping dominates the perimeters of the par 72, creating an aesthetically appealing "botanical" atmosphere.

To register, please contact the tournament office at tsoffice@missionhillschina.com, (86 755) 2802 0888 x 33856.


About the ANNIKA Foundation
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
A non-profit organization founded by Annika in 2008, it held the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational in 2009 at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL, home of the ANNIKA Academy. The tournament attracts the top junior female golfers from around the world and is known for Annika's hands-on involvement in all tournament activities, including clinics and educational sessions for the participants.

About Mission Hills Group
The Mission Hills Group, owner and operator of Mission Hills Shenzhen and Mission Hills Hainan, is the pioneer in China's fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.
Mission Hills, recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious residences of rare and exquisite design, has created two superb leisure and wellness resorts. It has held more than 100 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge in 2001. In 2007, Mission Hills began its role as host of an unprecedented 12 editions of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

Mission Hills Shenzhen
Stretching across the lush, rolling hills of southern China, Mission Hills Shenzhen is the country's premier golf club, and also the "World's Largest Golf Club" as accredited by the Guinness World Records. The property is home to 12 signature courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter, David Duval, Jumbo Ozaki and Zhang Lian Wei.
Mission Hills Shenzhen is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four clubhouses, three award-winning spas, two five-star hotel, three golf academies (including one from world-renowned instructor Cindy Reid), Asia's largest tennis facility with 51 tennis courts and professional tennis academy, and numerous fine dining establishments serving cuisine from around the world.

Mission Hills Hainan
Mission Hills Hainan lies in the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, China. The resort sets a new standard in leisure, recreation and wellness experiences. Nestled amid lush, green gardens, it caters to golf enthusiasts and comprises specially-designed golf courses, each incorporating native lava rock formations. Other state-of-the-art features include 518 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, a three-story clubhouse, China's first Hank Haney Golf Academy, meeting facilities, 12 world-class restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation center, Hainan's only aquatic theme park, therapeutic volcanic mineral springs, a spa oasis, and shopping arcade.

Mission Hills Hainan's Blackstone Course hosted the inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy in October 2010, a ground-breaking celebrity pro-am golf tournament for Asia. It will also host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November 2011. A magnificent addition to Hainan's tropical island paradise, Mission Hills Hainan is poised to become the island's premier sanctuary, attracting visitors from around the globe.

Getting There: Mission Hills Shenzhen is a 45-minute drive from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Mission Hills Hainan is 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK). Flights from major cities throughout Asia -- including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore -- to Haikou are available on Air China (Star Alliance member), Asiana (Star Alliance member), China Eastern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), China Southern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, KLM, Shanghai Airlines (Star Alliance member) and more.
- END -

6/24/2011

Historical classic courses of the Continent is paid to attention again

                                                     Kawana Fuji #15  1937


C.H.Alison visited Japan in Dec 1930 -1931
He designed Hirono, Kawana, and Tokyo GCAsaka cse(missing links).
And, he advised redesign work of Kasumigaseki, Naruo, Ibaraki, and Fujisawa.
He is course designer who has been worshiped most in Japan.
The deep bunker made in sand flash is called "Alison 's bunker" in Japan.
An amusing name, there is such a bunker anywhere in the world.

                                              Missing Links Fujisawa CC #18


Alison told the definition of classic design in Japan.
But, it was quoted by mistake by the few course designer after the war.
It is a gospel passed on mistaking it like the story of The DaVinci Code of Dan Brown.
In fact, golf course established after the war, and course equal to the world level
has only little.


                                                Tokyo GC 1941 original designed by Komyo Ohtani

Alison told the composition of layout (routing) of 18 holes.
and, the strategic classic theory by cross-fairway bunkering to Japanese.
However, many of Japanese paid attention only to the sense of beauty of green and bunkers.
The Japanese who correctly understands the theory of the Alison might be only Komyo Ohtani.
He was original designer of present Tokyo GC 1941.
also, he made Kawana fuji course based on the drawing of Alison with Kinya Fujita.
and Prof. Marumo.
but, to our regret, many of original works of him are remodeled.
They deleted cross-fairway bunkers of Ohtani.
It was the most important point of his classic concept


                                                       Golf de St.Germain #7     Colt &Alison
                                                        Hamburger GC Falkenstein    Colt&Alison&Morrison


I recommended the work of Colt & Company of the Continent and UK heathland to be
inspected to the Japanese to correct it.
The reason for there is that the site scale of golf course is almost the same as Japan.
However, a lot of Japanese visit to Scotland links and US Top100 courses.
And, they are comparing own discernment with land in Japan.
They had made a mistake in the place that had to be learnt.


                                                             Golf de Chiberta  #18    Tom Simpson


When Tom Doak contributed for Top100 ranking editor of Golf Magazine 1990's.
He asked me, nomination couse list from the Continent.
At that time, I already played 358 courses in the Continent so.

Hamburger Falkenstien, Frankfurter from Germany,
Utrechtse De Pan, Kennemer, Haagsches(Royal Hague)from Netherland,
St.Germain, Le Touquet(Mer), Granville, Chantilly, Fontainebleau,
Chiberta, Hardelot Pins  from France
Royal Zoute, Royal Antwerp, Royal Belgique, Roayl Fagnes from Belgium
Bielle le Betulle,I Roveri, Torino Mandria, Milano,Circolo Venezia from Italy.
These courses that I recommended,
There were a lot of works of Colt & Company and Tom Simpson.
However, the high appraisal was not able to be received from panelists.
The cause was maintenance & course conditioning.
An important part of Esthetics was insufficient.
It was considerably inferior compared with golf course of the United States.
It is true in them to have valued original design.
But, any good golf courses need  improve and renovation some time.


                                                     Royal Blegique  #1&#2      Tom Simpson 

                                    Golf de Granville    Colt&Alison        George Peper's  favorite


Recently, old golf courses of the Continent accomplished big evolution.
My friend's Noel Freeman & other few panelists traveled around
the Continent.few years ago
And, they have reported on the value of classic design of St.Germain,
Royal Hague,and De Pan to us.
Noel & Ran Morrissett reported on it in detail with web-site of Golf Club Atlas.
Also, Brian Schneider who the partner of Tom also visited the Netherlands
and he researched the work of Colt & Company.
The experience in his Continent might surely be useful for the future.

To the inspection report from panelists
Joe Passov who is our ranking editor kept the door open to
historical courses of the Continent again.


                                                      Haagsches(Royal Hague)  # 7
                                                           Kennemer     #17
                                                      Utrechtse GC De Pan #10

One that offers us the topic of Continent is Frank Pont.
He is Dutch course designer.
And, he is an expert who has been researching the work of Colt and Simpson.
Frank renovated work Royal Hague and De Pan,Kennemer,Roayl Fagnes etc.
And, important esthetics revived by his work.
Golf course has a correct capture route and the strategy there.

Historical classic courses of the Continent is paid to attention again now.


MASA

6/19/2011

Old Macdonald vs Castle Stuart

                                                           Old Macdonald GL #8

Old Macdonald and Castle Stuart paid attention to most in this year's course ranking.
A lot of journalists & specialists had visited either courses before pre open.
And, their evaluation was high like promising the Top100 rank.
We are interested that which course obtains a high ranking
Old Macdonald or Castle Stuart,Which course do you evaluate high?
It is common that the name of two architects has been described by the course design.
Old Madonald designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina.
Castle Stuart is Gil Hanse and Mark Persinen.
Jim contributed as project foreman with Pacific Dunes and Sebonack.
And, his name is described for the first time as architect in Old Macdonald.


                                                            Castle Stuart  #10

Gil was a design partner of Tom until 1993.
The last joint work of them was Stonewall GC of Pennsylvania.
They were doing both joys and sorrows when they were young.
And, they were absorbed in the research of classic design.
Therefore, their design has commonness to classic concept.
It is to entrust 70% of the design to geographical features in land.
They do not move a large amount of soil by the layout.
They importantly take contour of nature to the design.
Slope line of nature is the most important in golf course design.


                                      L) Gil Hanse  R) Tom Doak  The Creek Club NY 1989

What should make a special mention most in the talent of Tom is "routing plan".
You will be able to learn it with Pacific dunes, Ballyneal, and Cape Kidnappers,etc.
It is the most important part in greatest course.
Tom demonstrates a talented ability there.

                                                           Pacific Dunes #11

As you know, Pacific dunes is route plan of one loop.
However, Tom put in the idea of two loops,
Do you remember, #7 green and #8 tee box are laid out to the left of #1 tee box?
In a word ,the composition of two loops is as follows.
#1-#2-#3-#13-#14-#15-#16-#17-#18,
#8-#9-#10-#11-#12-#4-#5-#6-#7
He is a genius.

Wonderful of the work of Gil is in the construction of green complex 's.
You will be impressed by it with Castle Stuart and The Boston GC.


                                                            Boston GC #15

We can see the talent of Gil also with his renovation work.
I give praise to his renovated work of LA CC North,Sleepy Hollow CC,
and Tokyo GC of Japan.
However, I was small disappointed at course maintenance of Tokyo GC.
It is damage of turf by the intense heat of the summer of last year.
The problem continues this year,...why?
Is the technology of the maintenance of the Japan insufficient?


                                                              Tokyo GC #1
                                                                LA CC North

                                                               Sleepy Hollow CC


While Old Macdonald receives the high appraisal,
I was disappointed at the article on one golf journalist.
He wrote about Old Macdonald as the replica of Lido GC.
Lido GC was course of C.B.Macdonald that had become "Missing Links"
during the world war II.
However, if the material of Lido GC is examined, we understand it is
different clearly.


                                                             Old Macdonald #6

Old Macdonald is not a replica of course of which C.B. Macdonald either.
There is Old Macdonald with capture and the strategic characteristic as the theme
of famous holes, Double Plateau, Biarritz, Eden, Cape, Redan , Road etc
It is necessary to evaluate Old Macdonald correctly.
You may learn it by DVD "A Journey to Golf Past.Cresting Old Macdonald"
 produced by Michael Robin.

Tom Doak, Gil Hanse
They are authorities of modern classic design.
And, they are important friends of mine a long time.
Especially, Tom and his wife Jenny.
and his son Michael Doak


MASA


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TRAVEL TIP

It was almost 30 years ago.
I stay at Dornoch Castle Hotel.
And, the hotel owner invited me to links of Dornoch.
The experience of first Links course for me.

                                              Dornoch Castle Hotel  1983

A lot of friends say.
"Your first links is Royal Dornoch? ! You were the luckiest man in the world ! "
I return to Royal Dornoch whenever going to Scotland.
And, I stay again in Dornoch Castle Hotel.
When I stayed for the first time there, an old tower house(Bishop's palace)with history
from the 16th century
However, it is redecorated to the luxury hotel of four stars now.


.                                            Present Dornoch Castle Hotel   2010.

MASA

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