Final Reflections & Observations on the Ozzie Odyssey
Peering into a sandbelt induced GCA rabbit hole, which the C19 would accelerate exponentially
Strategic Golf & the Beginning of a Journey
‘Every golfer worthy of the name should have some minor acquaintance with the principles of golf course design, not only for the betterment of the game but for their selfish enjoyment. Let them know a good hole from a bad one and the reasons for a bunker here and another there, and they will be a long way towards pulling their score down to respectable limits. When they have studied the hole from the point of view of the person who laid it out, they will be much more likely to play it correctly’
Robert (Bobby) Tyre Jones, winner of the Impenetrable Quadrilateral and co-designer of Augusta National with Dr. Alistair MacKenzie
For those of you that read my piece on the Melbourne Sandbelt, you may remember how smitten I was with the strategic school of golf design that I encountered at Kingston Heath (KH), Metropolitan (Metro) and Victoria (Vic).
Each puzzle/hole on the sandbelt has a number of possible answers, the golfer must marry both objective assessment of risk related to their golfing ability, prevailing weather and ground conditions in order to execute successfully….wash, rinse, repeat.
‘Relative’ success depends upon critical thinking and prudent choices. I had to think so much at KH that I was mentally exhausted by rounds end, the Asahi beer and debrief in the bar couldn’t have come at a better time to salve my aching spirit and racing mind.
It was at Kingston Heath that I contracted a ‘sickness’ related to Golf Course Architecture, this ‘sickness’ led me to assembling a bookshelf full of weighty tomes, some old and some new.
The ever expanding golf library has finally found a shelf
The more I read, the more I realise that I am no closer to a definitive answer. Throughout this ongoing process I have gained valuable additional understanding of what were initially unknown unknowns. I have answered some of the basics and look forward to further knowledge development into the future.
If you’re interested in dipping your toe into the GCA rabbit hole, you must read Dr. Alistair MacKenzie’s ‘The Spirit of St. Andrews’ , written in the 1930’s, ‘lost’ in a desk drawer for 60 years and only published in the mid 1990’s after being rediscovered by his step grandson. It’s a cracker and a great primer for anyone that wishes to know just a little more than nothing.
Mike Clayton - Golfer, Course designer, commentator, writer, raccontuer….legend
Mr. Clayton is a force of nature, to whom the golf world should be very grateful, for his contribution, analyses and drive to educate and inform. Alas he’s expediently referred to ‘that bloke that fell on his ball’ and ‘chainsaw Mike’.
By his own admission he identifies with the former (somehow, he still had the honour on the next tee!), the latter description is unwarranted and quite likely invincibly ignorant, it is only when you start to understand the level of ill-informed and illogical tree planting that has happened worldwide since the 1960’s that you can start to understand the place that trees should have on any golf course. Check out this article, from Golf Course Architecture, for a reasoned approach to arboreal husbandry on the golf course.
Mike sees golf through a unique lense - a former high level amateur and professional, a course designer, writer, commentator, historian and latterly tournament director of the sandbelt invitational…. Mike is the closest thing available to a modern day Peter Thomson ( a hero of his, by all accounts), needless to say without the 5 Open Championship Titles!
He shoots from the hip, in an effort to protect the long term sustainability of the game we love. He is our modern day John Low or Alistair MacKenzie, keep up the good fight Mike!
I for one am pleased to proclaim myself a Claytonite. He will suck you in, just give him the chance.
Mike Cocking & His Renderings
In addition to being one of the principals at design firm OCM, Mike Cocking is also a very accomplished artist in his own right. There appears to be no end to Mike’s artistic talents, if you are looking for a different take on scorecards, course guides or just fancy commissioning him for something special check out www.golfrenderings.com.au.
Mike Cocking’s hand drawn course guides from Barnbougle Dunes, Kingston Heath & Barnbougle Lost Farm - things of beauty and difference!
Be warned though, his design firm OCM have just been commissioned to renovate Tom Bendelow’s #3 course @Medinah CC in Chicago, so he might be a bit busy for the next wee while as the firm attend to a course that will host the Ryder Cup in 2026.
Onya Mike, Geoff, Ashley & Team!
Minimalistic Scorecards
I always feel that for some, the small tangible details associated with a visit to any club can make a real difference. Simple, smart and user friendly scorecards are always appreciated. I have included a picture below of a few classically simple examples. The inside is actually printed by the proshop printer as you enter the comp.
Lamination on scorecards should be avoided as the scorecard cannot then be recycled, lets keep things simple, clean and classy….. don’t try too hard….you’re over compensating!
The simple, smart and functional scorecards of Royal Adelaide, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan and Kooyonga.
Cheesebrough Course Furniture
I’m a sucker for a crisp looking club presentation pin flag, affixed to a smart flagpole. The American made Cheesebrough (www.cheesebrough.com) pins appear to be ubiquitous on the sandbelt and farther afield in Australia. The wood and brass finish grip makes a great contrast against the fibreglass sections.
It is little details like this that support the efforts of our hardworking greens professionals and elevate the tangible experiences on the course.
A master greenkeeper at work preparing the days challenge for the final round of the Sandbelt Invitational at Peninsula Kingswood GC, Frankston, Vic - photo credit Ross Flannigan Golf.
Riksha Big Wheeled Pull Carts
There is nothing worse than a flimsy pull trolley that keels over at the slightest suggestion of a gale. I’m sure we have all experienced the need to park our trollies into the wind to ensure that bag, trolley and all doesn’t topple over, I give you the Riksha large wheeled pull cart. It was a new one on me and if it doesn’t blow over at Barnbougle Dunes in the roaring 40’s then it is safe to say it will not blow over wherever you play your golf.
Continuous Improvement
From what I observed in Australian clubs, there appears to be a genuine understanding that traditional golf clubs are competitive businesses, where maintaining the status quo equates to going backwards.
A culture of continuous improvement pervades the continuing reinvention and improvement of classic courses, bringing modern techniques to bear, while using original templates to drive and inform a return to historically relative authenticity.
These clubs are not afraid of change, while also perhaps not as wedded to “tradition” as many of their Old World counterparts. Dare I say it, conscious of the past but perhaps less encumbered or shackled by the weight of history.
Undoubtedly some of this contrast is bound up in the wider lack of formality in Australian society, an appreciation of and for knowledge, and an understanding that sustainability needs new and augmented revenue streams that secure the meaningful future of golf clubs, while not abandoning the spirit of the past.
Reciprocity as a New World Tangible Member Benefit
The new world reciprocal club model focusses on 3 distinct tiers of reciprocity (all of course subject to availability at the host course). These 3 tiers are characterised as follows:
Full reciprocal rights - reciprocal member can avail of honorary membership privileges for the duration of their stay, including access to a guest rate for other members in their party.
Partial reciprocal rights - member can avail of partial honorary membership privileges (no guest rates for any accompanying golfers) for the duration of their stay.
Member guest rate - member can avail of member guest rate privileges for the duration of their stay, with other guests left to their own devices paying full rack green fee.
Given the challenges that the golf market in general are dealing with, one would have thought that an extension of a traditional offering (reciprocity) could tick another box or two for a golfer looking at joining.
While down under, I was the beneficiary of the extensive network of new world reciprocal arrangements that my friends’ club holds. As a result of this I was favored (and eternally grateful to boot) by many of the clubs we visited with a preferred “member guest” rate.
The future of golf clubs could look a lot different, if we just open our minds a little… maybe start with a few of the low hanging fruits such as reciprocity?
It’s about the places you go and the people you meet!
Thanks for reading, if you like the scribbles of this often demented golf tragic, subscribe, like and share.
Ireland will be the next subject matter.
I need to take a few days break to collate all my pictures….. happy golfing!
Shane
Loved every word of your recent posts Shane. Your writing is articulate and enlivening. I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on Ireland. Cathal
Excellent newsletter Shane, your passion for golf links is infectious. I felt I was on some of those journeys with you. Great stuff.