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Ross’s renowned Pinehurst #2 Course
confounded most contestants in the
1935 PGA Championship, with many
wondering (and complaining) how a
ball could land so close to the hole and
yet end up in such an awkward place.
As an architect and a golfer who
enjoys both the competitive and
recreational aspects of the game,
I can usually find something that
makes me feel uncomfortable with
a golf course or a tournament set-
up—‘uncomfortable’ simply because
it is unfamiliar and not what I am
accustomed to. Whenever I feel this
way, I remind myself of how the
legendary Bobby Jones reacted on
his first visit to St. Andrews where
he stormed off the links and vowed
never to return. Of course Jones
did return (and conquer the links)
several times, and in a speech in 1958
at the University of St. Andrews he
recounted the story of his first visit.
He then revealed how over a passage
of time he had grown to love the Old
Course, stating: “The more I studied
it, the more I loved it, and the more I
loved it, the more I studied it.”
The distinctive nature of this year’s
U.S. Open put a spotlight on how
diverse and captivating this game
of golf can be. By highlighting such
a style of venue, and contrasting
it to the great and established
championship courses such as
Merion, Oakmont and Winged Foot,
it triggered widespread discussion
regarding some very fundamental
aspects of the game—the way it’s
played, the way courses are designed
and the way they are maintained, and
this is surely a healthy thing?
If we can create bold, imaginative
and innovative designs we will
capture people’s interest and
encourage them to do precisely what
Donald Ross invited them to do
all those years ago and “rise to the
challenge of the course.”
•
As major championship courses, Chambers Bay (left) and
Pinehurst #2 (above) have both been heavily scrutinized
Steve Smyers, President, American
Society of Golf Course Architects
Steve Smyers has designed many
courses throughout the world,
including Wolf Run in Indiana and
Chart Hills in England. He has also
served as a member of the USGA
Executive Committee, and has played
in US Golf Championships from
junior to senior level.
Photo: USGA/John Mummert
Photo: Pinehurst Resort