Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have made a handsome career for themselves designing golf courses following a “Minimalist” philosophy. Hand these two artists a topographically interesting and well-drained canvas, and they will deliver a masterpiece. Sand Hills Golf Club in Nebraska, Streamsong Red in Florida, and both Bandon Trails and The Sheep Ranch at BandonContinue reading “Sand Valley anchors the growing Sand Valley Golf Resort”
Tag Archives: golf life
Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Golf Resort: “Best Golf Resort in the Midwest?”
Some say Sand Valley Golf Resort’s history dates to 2016, when its eponymous course, Sand Valley, opened for preview play. Others might say it began in 1999, when legendary golf developer Mike Keiser unveiled Bandon Dunes in Oregon, spurring a golf resort development boom in remote, topographically ideal locations with a “Field of Dreams” philosophy:Continue reading “Wisconsin’s Sand Valley Golf Resort: “Best Golf Resort in the Midwest?””
Step back into golf history at Belvedere Golf Club
A couple years before the famed Dr. Alister MacKenzie first visited northern Michigan to begin designing legendary Crystal Downs Golf Club north of Frankfort, another Scottish golf course architect arrived in nearby Charlevoix to take over the Chicago Club’s course there. His name was William “Willie” Watson. Watson had come to the US from ScotlandContinue reading “Step back into golf history at Belvedere Golf Club”
Temecula Creek Inn: Three Distinct Nines + Wine
I’ve been writing about golf courses and resorts for nearly 30 years. It was this March on my way to my room at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California, when I experienced a first: A team from the Coroner’s Office loading a cadaver into their van right in front of my room. I tookContinue reading “Temecula Creek Inn: Three Distinct Nines + Wine”
First stop on the Tennessee Golf Trail: Henry Horton State Park
Henry Hollis Horton was the 36th governor of Tennessee, serving from 1927-1933. Upon his death in 1934, the state procured a portion of his large estate with the intention of preserving it as a state park. The sprawling park opened in 1961, and in 1962 the park’s Buford Ellington Championship Golf Course debuted. The 7,060-yard,Continue reading “First stop on the Tennessee Golf Trail: Henry Horton State Park”
Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Ask avid golfers in the US for opinions about “dream golf trips” – you know, those bucket-list destinations dotted with bucket-list courses – and Scotland and Ireland will naturally be mentioned first. Beyond those iconic venues, it’s hard to predict responses. The savviest of sticks might surprise you by casting their covetous eyes southward –Continue reading “Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand”
L.A.B. Golf’s DF3.i – A Classic Boy-Meets-Putter Story
Over the years, I have tested and reviewed hundreds of putters. A substantial number of those putters have subsequently stayed in my bag for a time – from a month to a full season, sometimes longer. Every time I think I have found my “forever putter,” a new one comes along and…fireworks! Am I aContinue reading “L.A.B. Golf’s DF3.i – A Classic Boy-Meets-Putter Story”
Foresight Sports: Winter “Blahs” Alleviated by Simulator “Aahs”
I grew up on a horse-boarding farm in Minnesota. Winters could be brutal – back in the day (yeah, I’m old), -20F was typical even without windchill. And always so much snow! But to be honest, aside from the physical discomfort, there were plusses. First of all, horse manure doesn’t smell when it’s frozen. Second,Continue reading “Foresight Sports: Winter “Blahs” Alleviated by Simulator “Aahs””
Mizzou’s Gustin Golf Course Surprises at Every Turn
Columbia, Missouri, is known as the location of the state’s flagship public university. And to its faithful fans and alumni, The University of Missouri is known as MIZZOU. During the Tigers’ sold-out SEC football games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, you can hear half the avid fans cheering “M-I-Z” and answered by the otherContinue reading “Mizzou’s Gustin Golf Course Surprises at Every Turn”
Midwestern Golf 