The Masters at Augusta Georgia April 9-12 2009

The Masters course is known as the most beautiful golf course in the world, and its beauty is best seen in April, just as the Masters kicks off. They think of everything; the color of the drink napkins for patrons perfectly matches the grass - so if you drop your napkin it will not show on TV. The green theme continues with the Green Jacket worn by members and masters winners, a nice touch, as conceived by the original owner, Clifford Roberts. Who needs celebrity pro designers?

The winner of the Masters is presented the green sport coat which is the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club and winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit. The tradition began in 1949, when Sam Snead won his first of three Masters titles. Members cannot remove their jackets from the Augusta National grounds and Masters champions can do so only for one year. Then the jacket must be returned to the club, where it is stored in a cedar closet.

The only exception to this rule is Gary Player, who refused to return his jacket after his 1961 victory, using the rule wording to his advantage stating that he has never worn the jacket. He is not on the list of members.

The green Jacket was made by the Brooks uniform company and the design has never been a real fashion triumph, in any era. However last years winner Immelman has been surprised by the response it has received this year - he had a group of Japanese crying at being in its very presence. Theres nothing like creating an object with mystique and awe to join the history of the tournament. The Royal family could do some good PR by getting out their ceremonial gear a bit more often!Or perhaps that would only work in Japan?

Augusta is the most exclusive and revered golf courses in the world and therefore does not need the design skills of pro golfer to promote it. Membership is by invitation only and the only pro golfers in the list of 300 members are Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and John Harris. This fact is mentioned in the history of the club, along with other illustrious members such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Dwight D Eisenhower, though there are plenty you need never have heard of. The credit crunch will not really affect membership; with joining fees and annual fees set realatively low, it is the TV rights to the clubs own tournament which allows such exclusivity; there are no plans to invite female members, though they do allow female caddies. Thats OK then.

The course was designed by one of the owners (Bobby Jones) and the Scottish architect Alistair Mackenzie, along the lines of St Andrews; there were few nasty obstacles and wide fairways originally, but over time, rough, bunkers and trees have been added.It was opened in 1931 and is the home to the Masters, every year. Its always good for business to have your own major championship.

Masters news from the official site;
Gary Player, three times Masters winner announces that this will be his last tournament.
Harrington is the only player at the Masters with a chance of winning a third consecutive major championship

The Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort by Dick Wilson

The Doral Golf resort and Spa, (the venue of the Henrik Stensen Strip) won the Golf week Best Resort Courses Award 2009- but its only March? How do they know? You may wonder where the name comes from;as with many house names accross the country such as Davsheila, Lauruss or Sunick, the Dor and Al of this Miami Resort comes from Doris and Alfred Kaskel who, in 1959 converted 2,400 acres of swampland in West Miami into 6 Florida golf courses.

It is good to see that golf course architect Dick Wilson had a hand in the original design of the Blue Monster Course, which has hosted the PGA tour for over 40 years. It is 7266 yards long ad its 18th hole is in the World Top 100.

Alongside the designer pro are old golf pro favourites Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd and with Jim Maclean doing some design, but more importantly running the number 1 Golf School in the US at Doral.If you ant some more name dropping, Arthur Ashe stuck to what he knew best and was the director of tennis at the club in the 70's.

The Doral was a family run business until 1993, and is now part of the Marriot group which has turned the club into a monster resort.I suppose it is this sort of business which enables web packages including a Kids Play for Free offer (after 3pm which is fair enough) and also a free kids lesson when a parent books a lesson (which is excellent)

Henrik Stenson Wears Bjorn Borgs Pants

Henrik Stenson stripped off down to his startling white Bjorn Borg pants today in order to take a shot in the mud at the 3rd hole during the first round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami. It was suggested on the radio show that alerted me to this disturbing news, that Henrik had been working out and wanted to show off his muscles or Henrik was a bit obsessive compulsive in not wanting to get his clean clothes dirty.

Of course it is far simpler than that- Henrik is Swedish, just like his pants designer Bjorn. I wondered what part of being world tennis number 1 qualified Bjorn for his role as mens underwear designer, but all was soon made clear. The official website says the new range, called Grand Slam, is inspired by Bjorn Borgs early career in that its design is clean and simple.There is a special offer on at the moment-a Bjorn Borg head band will thrown in with the first order.Someone got paid for that idea.

In defence of Heinriks strip he said to Sky News "I felt that I would definitely save a shot by actually playing the ball. If you are saving a shot, that has to be worth taking your shirt and trousers off"

Gokarna Forest Golf Resort Nepal, by David Kidd

The Golf course was designed by David Kidd of Gleneagles Golf Developments who as a real designer won Golf digests Designer of the year in 1999.

I have never read such poetic description of a golf course before so I am cutting and pasting a section;
Gokarna Golf Course
"The myth, magic and mystery of the once Forbidden Valley
inspired the creation of a masterful challenge within this sanctuary.
The par 72 course meanders for 6,715 yards through most 500 acres
of untouched forest. Eighteen holes of sheer perfection"
"Undulating Bent Grass Greens built to USPGA specifications. Soft cushions of local Bermuda fairways. Lush unyielding forests-hundreds of years old. Winding streams. Wandering hills and valleys opening to a holy river's plain. Cynical monkey's watching your progress. Shy spotted deer peering from the trees. The lofty Himalayas keeping score. Truly enchanting."

If you look at the photo album its not far off, though its difficult to prove the lofty Himalayas are keeping score, and if the monkeys are cynical they have every reason to be with a golf course being plonked right in the middle of their 100's year old forest. It looks very much like the Scottish Highlands which is sort of what Nepal is like, but on a bigger scale, with Everest, its own royal family and palaces but no tartan.

Katmandhu is close by and has always been a fantastic holiday destination. The legacy of the hippy trail and continuing overland trips ending in Nepals capital mean that some part of the city has turned all European- you can get bacon and egg and theres even a pub with bar towels and beer mats. But dont forget the main Durbar Square with the Royal Palaces.Rent a motor bike (or just get a taxi)to Nargakot where you can get the best views of Everest without a sherper and an oxygen mask- then straight back to the golf resort for the full Spa treatment and some Jazz? I can not believe we have missed the JAZZMANDHU festival at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort in Nepal! How could we? Its only the biggest Jazz Party in the Himalayas.

Play Golf in the Shadow of the Taj Mahal

My recent early morning games at Fajara Golf Club in the Gambia brought back memories of my very first golf lesson at Agra Golf Course in India in 1989. It is only in such environs that I have been able to afford the luxury of a first class instructor and a couple of ball boys.

I know he was a first class instructor because he had me hitting unbelievable shots which much annoyed my companion, a bloke. I had that first feeling of contorting my hips and a strange grip and the follow through, and felt like I was Tony Jacklin.(I say Tony Jacklin because he was the main Englishman for golf when I was growing up; Kevin Keegan for football; Ray Rearden for snooker etc )
The ball boys were of course necessary because it didnt always work,balls were expensive and the rough was rough, and then some. My top tip if visiting Golf clubs in commonwealth countries is dont forget to take a tie-if you want a slimline tonic in the clubhouse after (if you're a bloke)

As non members we were able to play in the morning, but in that heat when else would you consider a game? The fairways were yellow, and sacred cows were eating the rough, but the design classic I want to really get over in this post is that The Agra Golf Course stands in the shadow of the Taj Mahal.

Looking at its website the club has come up in the world following a lull around 1989,with irrigation bringing the greens up to USPGA standard and lots of other amenities for the family; swimming pool (I'm David Wilkie), snooker (Ray Rearden again) and air conditioned restaurant and bar!I suppose it was 20 years ago. That is why I do not have any digital photos to upload of me, a golf ball and the Taj Mahal. You get the side view of the main dome from some of the greens.Ive included the full frontal Taj fro about the right distance just in case you dont know what you are missing.

Dubai Golf is Green

I have just picked up this snippet of news about Dubai Golf from the Times online;

The scarcity of water is impacting construction in markets all over the world, from Spain to Cyprus, but a byproduct of the construction boom in Dubai is creating new project options. Undrinkable water can be used to irrigate golf courses, which have been identified as the next big thing in Dubai. A report by the KPMG Golf Advisory Practice found that 42% of professionals in the industry believe that Dubai will offer the best opportunities for golf course development over the next five years.

Did any of you see that coming?

Colin Montgomerie the Golf Course Designer and Ryder Cup Captain

I do feel a little scared about even a slight mocking tone when talking about Colin Montgomerie. Its a tone I cant help really on this subject and it is the tone which encouraged me to start the blog-I had been ranting about the likes of Lilly Allens dress colection for Top Shop and Kate Moss purfume collection! I thought I could accept Paul Newmans salad cream, and even Lloyd Grossmans pasta sauce; Pauls Ranch dressing royalties were for Charity and I had seen Lloyd cook a bit, or at least taste food before. But Golf Pros somehow having the skills of an architecht or builder while on the golf circuit seemed to me to be taking it too far. For goodness sake let the true designer or designers take the credit, Dont you get enough publicity and cash as it is?

As Colin Montgomerie has been given the captaincy for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010, I thought I'd have a closer look at his Golf Course Design claims and record and try to take the view that the experience of playing golf on course all over the world could provide some insight into what makes a good course (in their opinion)Also, perhaps the designers do not want the credit for their work, and then that perhaps with a pile of clay, paint and accessories the golf pro could 'design' a golf course which could then be interpretted by the architect.

From his website it would seem that colins philosophy is to challenge the golfer of any level. Water features should potentially cost the points, and not just make the course attractive for the TV cameras, rough should be rough and bunkers should be hazardous.'Nature should not be tampered with unnecessarily'Well that fits in with my gripe about Spanich Hacienda Dubai course design.

The design team are introduced on the website which is honest and good. Designs include the Montgomerie at Celtic Manor, Wales and a Montgomerie Links In Vietnam. And just because he is the man to bring back the Ryder Cup I am going to congratualte him on his wonderful designs.

Design Your Own Golf Course in Argentina

Its all very well sitting here watching Satanta Golf classics, mucking about on the brown greens of Fajara golf club or looking at images of the Portugal or Dubai green, green courses. I have never claimed I could design a golf course, even though I question how much real input designer pros have in their courses, but now may be my chance to prove myself-if only the property just outside Buenos Aires had not included the Polo Club I would have given it a go.But I am just not that keen on horses and we are now officially in recession so perhaps you want to have a look?

Hailstorm Stops Play in the Desert

The first round of the European Golf Tour, the Abu Dhabi Championship was halted today due to a hail storm. I was listening to BBC Radio 5 Live this morning and the commentator had unpacked his skiing gear(packed for the follow on holiday after this job)to cover the days golf. On the course web site there is a "Weather Today In Abu Dhabi" which one might have sniggered at not so long ago.

The Abu Dhabi course itself is carved out of the desert and it is the most luxurious golf resort in the world. The radio said that a coffee bought during the storm cost £11. It must be just amazing!Then there is the outstretched falcon shaped clubhouse; yes someone has been paid for that idea and design, yet no ones has put their name to it? While I chortled at the falcon shaped clubhouse I do applaud the designers for at least using symbols related to the Gulf as its plans. Its good to see, and if you were to go their you would have something to talk about, and distinguish the visit from any other Gulf Golf Resort. The only distinguishing features there are the names of the golf pro designer courses.A bit like how you know where your room is at the Belfry. Am I in Tony Jacklin or Nick Faldo this time?

I have been browsing to find the weathermans explanation for this strange event, but with no luck. I found that last May Abu Dhabi and some parts of Dubai had unseasonal dark clouds and showers of rain following experiments by scientists in the gulf to create rainfall.Perhaps this was a more succesful test.

WARNING;What I did find in my meteorogical research on the BBC was the latest health risk to golfers; the sonic boom from the new, thin faced titanium drivers can cause permenant damage to hearing.Wear ear plugs or wrap some foam to them before use please.

Golf Premier Event; Fajara Golf Club, Palm Wine Tasting in The Gambia

Forget the Beaujolais run, or the Ryder cup. A trip to the Gambia's premier Golf Club at Fajara will give you stories to dine out on at any golf club event. Excuse the jumpy footage, but it is short and its worth a view and I reckon this footage will do more to sell Fajara Golf Club to the avid golfer than any pro name attached to the design of the course. The course itself is 'testing' but the caddys and club pros are excellent value. My 3 boys all had private lessons and much fun with their partners.

Its a bit like going to a dry slope before going skiing; if you can start stop and stay on your feet on the dry slope you will be doing slalem on your second day on the real snow. Likewise with golf at Fajara; There will be none of this frustration and smashing of expensive clubs against trees with my boys. Golf is great when you hit a ball well and it all comes together for you, but in between we will chat and laugh with Gambian friends and have a good time. Nothing too serious. We can all be who we want-"I'm Tiger Woods" " I'm not going to be Payne Stewart" etc How many people can say they learned how to play golf at West Africas premier Golf course.

After a pleasant morning on the course and before a drink in the club house (or dip in the pool for the boys) you go to the bottom of the course to where the palm wine collectors are. There you can sample the wine, have a go at climbing the palm to collect your own and have a running commentary as you go. I have edited out our go..its not as easy as it looks.