Midweek Musings

We've got a nice selection of items teed up for your amusement, beginning at next year's hot new course....

The Sheep Ranch, Ready For Its Close-Up - Its long been the stuff of myth, but now it goes mainstream:

The Sheep Ranch was a semi-secret at Bandon Dunes for years. 

The original 13 greens with an unset, play-as-you-like routing built by Tom Doak lay just across Whiskey Run Lane to the north of Old Macdonald, one of four existing 18-hole layouts at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in southwestern Oregon. The property wasn’t walled off or exactly private, but golfers needed to know whom to ask to secure a tee time. 

That all changes June 1, 2020, with the highly anticipated opening of the Sheep Ranch. 

Bulldozers and construction crews replaced those 13 greens in the past year, as Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed a new 18-hole course that will feature nine greens on the hundred-foot cliffs above the Pacific Ocean.

And a spectacular coastline it is, the most interesting of all the course there.  

This new course will be all about the cliffs. The routing was a challenge, as Friedmann and Keiser wanted to maximize exposure to the rugged coastline. The Sheep Ranch has a mile of coastline, compared to the resort’s three cliffside courses – Old Mac, Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes – that share two miles of coast. 

“Bill went there and did a routing that knocked our socks off,” Keiser said. “The site is two parts: the lower deck, which is about 140 acres, and the upper deck, about 250 acres. Everyone, including Phil and me, thought we would have to go over the ravine that divided those two decks, with one or two bridges. And that was not an attractive thing for either of us, to build a links course with two bridges.

Makes it sound like the Castle Stuart property, for those that have had that pleasure.  But with five full courses, plus the Par-3 Preserve, the minimum stay is like a month.  Plus, I assume they'll need an update of this, as my version includes an update to included the building of Old Macdonald.

This captures what I meant above about that coastline:

The most dramatic spot within the Sheep Ranch’s mile of coast likely will be the double-green for Nos. 3 and 16 atop Fivemile Point, which juts into the ocean about the namesake distance north of the town of Bandon. Unlike the cliffside holes at Bandon Dunes’ existing courses, on which play parallels the coast but never requires a shot over the cliffs, this double-green will require approaches and tee shots over the cliff faces to and from the promontory. 

“I think that coming into those greens, it’s going to be breathtaking and exciting,” Friedmann said. “It’s probably a place you will remember forever.”

We're pretty committed to a return to Fife in 2020, but the urgency for a return visit to Bandon just hit the red zone...

Josh Sens informs that it might go to the top of your Bandon playlist, for these and other reasons:

3. It’s down to earth 

Like Old MacDonald, its Bandon sibling, the Sheep Ranch is planted to fescue, the turf of true links golf, a fine-bladed grass, less grabby than others, that plays most faithfully to the contours of the land. So, yes, you can try hero shots across the bluffs. But this is a course that encourages the ground game, all the more so because it has not a single sand bunker: only grass bunkers. Most greens are open-fronted to allow for clever run-ups. Bottom line: Even more than Old Mac, it’s a course for the knockdown and the bump-and-run, a canvas upon which you can let your shot-making imagination run wild.

The third hole, above, plays over that bluff to a double green shared with the sixteenth hole.

A far more interesting aspect of the creation of Bandon than you could ever imagine, they initially had no clue as to whether fescue grasses would survive in their climate.  As Josh notes, it was only when they got to Old Mac that they confident enough to plant it in 100% fescue....

And this:

6. Dead trees give the course life 

A “snag” is not a bad lie in the rough. It’s a term, common in forestry, for a dead or dying tree that remains standing. Old Macdonald has striking snag on its 3rd hole. And the Sheep Ranch has a host of them, ghostly sentinels that frame tees and fairways and which serve, at times, as targets in the distance. They’re compelling features, and a big part of the layout’s distinctive look and feel.

This is the tree on Old Mac about which he speaks:

That's actually the first green, but the tee shot on the third plays blind over that ridge line, dramatically close to the looming but very dead tree.

If you still crave more eye candy, there's more here:

I mean, if you like this sort of thing....  It's not for everyone.

R.I.P., Trustie - This one hits close to home.  A month or so ago we were invited back to Willow Ridge, where my host made fun of my Callaway hybrids, calling them "Millennials".  Which I took to mean that he thought they should be in my basement, because that's where all millennials live, right?

We get news today that a guy with a similar issue is moving on:

Henrik Stenson and his Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 3-wood, one of the most

recognizable and lethal player-club duos in golf, are no longer together.

Stenson has put his trusty club into retirement and is currently testing new 3-woods to put into play at this week’s Houston Open, his first start in the 2019-20 PGA TOUR season. 

The Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 3-wood served him well, as Stenson won the 2013 FedExCup title, the 2016 Open Championship, the silver medal at the 2016 Olympics and ranked as high as No. 2 in the world while leaning heavily on his prowess with that model. 

“It’s always sad when one of the trusties has to retire,” Stenson told PGATOUR.COM on Tuesday at the Country Club of Houston.  

Stenson’s Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 3-wood, initially released to the public in 2011, was famously equipped with a Grafalloy Blue shaft that came out in 2003 -- and Stenson hit rockets with it.

Has there been a more famous player-club relationship in recent years?  Perhaps Tiger and his Scotty, but putters are a whole different thing....  By the way, I'm pleased to see that my X2 Hot hybrids seem to be retaining significant value.

Today In Hostage Statements - Who doesn't love a good hostage video?  Our most recent example os such was when Bryson was forced to walk back his petulance on pace of play, and some PR hack wrote words for him about how concerned he is for his playing partners....  yeah, good times.

Earlier we had the Euro Tour doubling down on their Saudi event, and today comes word that the Bash Brothers will both return to the Kingdom.  First, the older Bash will make the trip to defend his title:

The Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, which carries a $3.5 million (Dh12.85m) purse, completes the circuit’s opening Desert Swing, following the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA and the Omega Dubai Desert

Classic. 

“I really enjoyed my trip to Saudi Arabia last year and my game certainly suited the layout at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club,” said Johnson, the 2016 US Open champion and former world No 1. 

“I have very good memories from the week and look forward to defending my title.

“It’s great to see how Golf Saudi has strengthened its commitment to create a world-class golf event and plans to grow golf in the region are in full swing. It’s an honour to be a part of it.”

I'm guessing that Paulina didn't make that trip with him last year...  That Oakmont outfit would be a big hit among the Wahhabis, no?  After all, they're all about female empowerment.

But wait, it gets so much better than that, as Bash the Younger is in as well:

Koepka, meanwhile, finished in tied for 57th in February, but went on to enjoy incredible 

success again this season, claiming a fourth major crown by successfully defending the US PGA Championship in May. 

“I’m excited to be returning to Saudi Arabia, after an enjoyable visit last year,” Koepka said. “The golf course is one of the best I’ve played in the region, with incredible scenery, including some breathtaking views of the Red Sea. 

“The event is an opportunity to showcase the work being done to grow the game of golf in the Kingdom, which was evidenced by the enthusiastic fans last year. It is great to be involved with the initiative and I look forward to seeing the progress Golf Saudi has made in the past year.”

Wow!  These guys really are all about growing the game....  But has anyone told them that a Saudi girl is not allowed to drive a cart without the permission of a male relative?

Now Brooks recently told us that he plays for trophies, not awards....  But, apparently he does also play, or at least shows up, for large appearance fees.

Good Phil - I take Phil to the woodshed on a regular basis, but I like Good Phil as much as the next guy.  Remember his driver from the bush last weekend?  I actually get this explanation:

So, it's one of those lies that's too good.  We've all had those, just not, you know, in a bush.

I had raised the issue of relief from the cartpath, and I like this even more:

I do hope Rory is taking notes...  last year, I saw Rory try to finagle relied arguing that he would play the shot in a way we all knew he wouldn't.  When the official didn't buy his act, Rory ended up playing the shot left-handed.  Yeah, that's called cheating where I come from...

But if Phil tells me he's gonna play driver from the bush, I'm inclined to believe him, because who can make that up?

Predictions Are Hard - Joel Beall tells us that it's all going to work out:

The Houston Open has a vibrant future, even if the present lacks flash

The Houston Open was on life support following the departure of its sponsor. It was given last rites when kicked off the golf course it called home. Yet the Texas tournament is not only still kicking, it is out of the hospital. For the first time in years, it has a

tangible future. 

"This is a success story that is just beginning," says Lee Patterson, Houston Open media coordinator. 

Even if the present lacks a bit of panache. 

The Houston Open traces its roots back to 1946, and counts Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Gary Player and Phil Mickelson among its winners. Historically held in mid-spring, the tournament carved a niche with its pre-Masters spot in 2007. Redstone Golf Club (now known as the Golf Club of Houston) underwent massive renovations to mirror Augusta-like conditions. As such, Houston boasted a viable field, filled with those seeking a last-minute tune-up.

Yes, the event has a proud lineage, but so did the Western Open.  How'd that work out?

Joel repeats the comments of the Tournament Director that we had such fun with, those wherein it was up to others to solve his problems.  This Tour official seems to be on the same page:

PGA Tour executive vice president Andy Pazder, who was in attendance at the tournament's media conference in January, stressed “players need to play the fall tournaments," although there's only so much control the tour has on player agency. With nearly 50 events on the schedule, the unfortunate truth is some tournaments won't draw the tour's main attractions. For Houston, that means a host of Korn Ferry Tour graduates and rank-and-file players.

Or what?  He'll hold his breath until he turns blue.... It seems that they bought the Tour's nonsense about the Fall schedule, but that issue won't be fixed any time soon:

As for the scheduling facet, that's a battle to be fought another day. The tour originally had the Houston Open slotted the week before the U.S. Open but Crane objected, stating it would be too hot in the summer for the event. Crane eventually wants the tournament back in the spring, but conceded in January "that won’t happen for at least a couple of years.” Officials hope strong showings in the fall will facilitate that move; there's no official word from the tour if that request is being considered.

It becomes a zero sum game....  But am I the only one that finds the timing of the event curious?  I mean, what was Jim Crane thinking?

Then there's the matter that the Astros Golf Foundation has never run an event. It has a stable of industry veterans; conversely, with the Astros competing in the MLB Playoffs, there is worry about attention divided from the organization and how that may affect this week's proceedings.

Of course, that conflict could be resolved Thursday night....  Nah, don't get your hopes up.

That the Tour desires a successful event in the country's fourth largest media market is obvious.  But the method by which these good people claw their way back to relevance is not  remotely addressed by the author.

Commence Gloating - Having played it in 2015, this comes as no surprise:

President Trump’s golf resort in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lost money for the seventh consecutive year, posting losses of 1.07 million pounds in 2018 ($1.3 million), the

Scotsman newspaper reported Saturday. 

According to a filing with the government’s Companies House, Trump International Golf Links has cumulative losses of more than 9.4 million pounds, the Scotsman reported. However, the loss posted in 2018 slightly decreased from the previous year (1.25 million pounds). 

Trump has propped up the resort with interest-free loans of 40.6 million pounds, according to the filing. 

In 2006, Trump unveiled plans for a $1 billion resort at the Menie Estate. He also promised the resort would create 6,000 jobs. 

But in 2018 the resort employed 77 people, down from 84 the previous year, according to the filing. 

The Trump Organization recently was approved to build more than 500 new homes at the Menie Estate, ranging from cottages to homes costing more than 1 million pounds, the BBC reported. Plans for a new course, the 18-hole MacLeod Course, were also approved by councilors in Aberdeenshire.

Having backed off plans to build a resort hotel, those 500 homes would seem to be the key to salvaging this project.  But the course is reportedly getting so little play, that the decision to build another is curious...

Of course, the owner has been distracted a bit by his day job.  Yanno, being "literally Hitler" can be very time consuming... 

Will that do you for now?  I'll entertain a motion to adjourn until tomorrow.