All signs are there to see about golf’s future. Property developers building on ex-golf courses. Municipalities selling their courses for green space. The rise of Topgolf where nachos and beer are as important as lunging off mats with digital balls. Cell phone and social media addictions. Mountain biking, hiking and runners going for 2 hours…
“That is were the Vikings first landed in Ireland”. My friendly host, Moira Cassidy from Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links pointed. I peered at this island and then to Ireland’s Eye. We played a few holes on their testing links course after I indulged a burger in their rustic Jameson Bar. Pretty villages of Malahide…
Do you choose to play a course based on the designer? I had the privilege to have dinner with David McLay Kidd recently in Bend, OR. We spoke about his terrific new design of Mammoth Dunes in WI. My first exposure of David’s great work was at Bandon Dunes in 2006. Incredible. I played rock…
When I first moved to the Okanagan Valley five years ago from Ontario I told Alison to take in a breath of fresh, beautiful BC air. Not today. 568,000 hectares of fires have been burning in BC since April and it’s the worst air on planet earth. I describe it as what a nuclear winter…
One of the enjoyable aspects of playing golf with others is the shared experience of the round. It could be congratulating an eagle putt, helping with marking a ball, searching for lost balls and honouring those who have earned the blocks after a terrific birdie. But what about those who are oblivious to the individuals…
Panama, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. These are just some of the golfing destinations Canadians are starting to consider. All-inclusive resorts have great appeal. It is unfortunate that many of these alternatives price in American dollars. If Mexico would price in pesos they would gain even more Canadian golf travellers. The world…
As always, I had an interesting June IAGTO North American Golf Tour Conference in Bend, Oregon to meet with golf and hotel suppliers. New and intriguing golf destination ideas include: Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, Jamaican golf around Montego Bay, Northwest Montana, Los Cabos’ newer offerings, the Las Vegas/Mesquite/Red Rock Trail Utah combination, and Austin…
Werner from South Africa and Javier from Argentina hopped in my vehicle on the road trip from Dupont, WA to Bend, OR. The 5+ hours of conversation was similar to the duration of a golf round. We spoke about our country’s foods, culture, music and what golf courses in the world we prefer. Now we…
Have you punched your ticket to Royal Portrush for the 2019 Open Championship starting on July 18th? Everyone is excited to see this major championship returning to Northern Ireland for the first time in 70 years. Did you also know that the Brexit vote occurs in late March next year? Will that mean a hard…
In one of my Golf Shorts and Plus Fours chapters I compare the Old Course vs. Pebble. I prefer the Old because it oozes tradition and is idiosyncratic not because it is a prettier course. I feel the U.S. Open should have venues like historic Oakmont or Shinnecock rather than newer Erin Hills or Chambers…