Imagine building 26 golf courses at the height of the golf development bubble, with nine figures in public pension money — in an effort that now loses money year after year. Welcome to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
In theory, 12-hole designs should be cheaper to play, build, and maintain. But in the staid industry of golf course development, there’s been no rush to test the theory. The minds behind Sweetens Cove are ready to change that.
Phil Mickelson has spent most of the past decade as golf’s real-life version of the Million Dollar Man, all without any discernible cost to his standing among fans.
“Halfway through my sophomore year, I talked to my dad a lot and to my group around me — my swing coach, some family friends — and they all told me, ‘You’ve gotta release all those expectations that you have for yourself, and just go out there and play.’”
“We had the biggest R&D team in golf, and we made amazing products for players of every skill level, but that’s not how we were seen. And so we realized that social was going to be the quickest way to change some of those perceptions. “
Imagine building 26 golf courses at the height of the golf development bubble, with nine figures in public pension money — in an effort that now loses money year after year. Welcome to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
“That has historically been the issue for shorter golf courses: there is this perception that it is a lesser experience. And it’s been really exciting through the years to see Audubon receive its acclaim being less than a par 72.”
The new year’s first few months will be historic. Eventually, one candidate will emerge, and it might not be who you’d hoped. But in life, as in golf, disappointment and progress are not mutually exclusive.
“There’s some trouble out there on those last couple of holes at Southern Hills, and it’s always in the back of your mind that if you mess up a little bit and make three or four bogeys coming in, you might not have a job next year.”
In theory, 12-hole designs should be cheaper to play, build, and maintain. But in the staid industry of golf course development, there’s been no rush to test the theory. The minds behind Sweetens Cove are ready to change that.
Audubon Park is perhaps the closest thing that American golf offers to the Scottish tradition: a course that truly belongs to its community, not only because it is a public course, but because it is literally accessible to everyone — golfers and otherwise.
Like any residential golf course, Carter Plantation In Louisiana has its share of dud holes. But it frequently escapes those shackles and delivers an enjoyable time.
“Everyone congratulates you after making it to Final Stage; there are all these text messages, and everybody’s excited for you — but it’s nowhere near being over.”
After a wild summer and fall, Stephen Franken is headed to Korn Ferry Q-School Final Stage hungry to improve his position — but also ready to give the 2020 schedule everything he’s got, regardless of his status.
For Cohen Trolio, the 2019 U.S. Amateur wasn’t gratifying because of his run to the semifinals. It was gratifying because his success proved that the process he’s followed throughout his career is working.
“Throwing a bunch of money at it doesn’t equal great golf. Just because it’s done for a reasonable price and with thought for where the money’s going doesn’t mean it’s cheap.”
“When we organize ourselves in groups — yeah, that kinda stinks, because we start to shout; we start to divide. But person to person, there hasn’t been a person that I haven’t enjoyed meeting and getting to know.”
“People think that print media is declining, but we can tell you from this side that people do still pay attention; we’ve got the physical results of that here.”