Celtic Manor, Wales, starring Colin Montgomerie an...

Designer Golf Courses: Celtic Manor, Wales, starring Colin Montgomerie an...: "Celtic Manor has 3 courses and its Twenty Ten Course to be the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010. Can you see what they've done there? But the..."

Thought I would repost this one, having seen Colin Montgomery on the news today discussing the fact that he has not spoken to the groundsmen at Celtic Manor to ensure the lie of the land favours the European Team....Well why not. The US Captain appeared shortly after looking very bemused even incredulous that the host team captain had not taken up his right to tip the balance of the course in his favour. We will see. I am not sure what could be done and am going off for further research, but I feel sure every advantage should be taken, especially against the US, and especially at the Ryder Cup!!!!!

The Ryder Cup 2008. It Did Its Job For Poulter

Was Tiger missed? Was Monty missed? Did Faldo mess up his couples or his order? Did the USA biased crowd have an impact? Is it sporting? Do the victors care? Whatever. I thought it was about time the US won as I said in my Valhalla blog. Its just not good for the tournament if the Europeans win all the time.

Whichever side of the Atlantic you were cheering from, or whether you listened on BBC Radio 5 live, or watched it on Sky, the Ryder Cup did as it always does; created a wave of new interest in the game and produced some new heroes. There was so much coverage of the wild card choice of Ian Poulter, before the tournament kicked off, that his excellent contribution to the European effort can only spell one thing; I feel the setting up of the Ian Poulter Designer Golf Course Company and Website.

Poulter already has the golf gear designer website and shop,all in a lovely pinky hazy background colour. Now I give him a lot more credit for that design, and definitely the colouring of this range of designer pro gear than, say, The Lily Allen range at New Look. He's got more flair and personality than most at Valhalla. Some lucky Golf course somewhere will soon be advertising The Poulter

Valhalla by Jack Niklaus

Valhalla is the Ryder Cup Course this year and as I read through the news on the US versus Europe battle I was struck by the great and universal abilities of most top players over the years. It is well known that footballers are good at golf and snooker(hand eye co-ordination and all that) but little has been discussed on the Golfers ability to design a golf course. Is this the same sort of designing as Kate Moss and a Top Shop designer line. Of course they will know what they like or dislike about a course in the same way as Kate knows whether she doing Purple or stretch denim. Admittedly its easier to use a digger and some feed than sew a gypsy top from scratch, but how much did Jack really contribute to Valhalla? Well his website boasts Jack Nicklaus design has over 300 golf courses 'open for play' Hard to imagine how he found the time.But he's a golfing legend and thats all we really need to know.

Valhalla is in Louisville, Kentucky, USA and was opened in 1986 fulfilling the dream and vision of Louisville businessman and golf enthusiast Dwight Gahm. Jack Nicklaus was commissioned to build a course fit to attract the PGA Championship to Kentucky. Nice to be able to fulfil such dreams. This was acheived in 1992.

The Ryder Cup, every non golfers favourite tournament, begins on Thursday 18 September, with the opening ceremony, all covered by Sky of course. With Europe having won it on the last 3 occasion(with great sportsmanship and with the dignity of their wives in tact)it would be best for the tournament if the US won it this year.Thats what I shall be telling myself if we lose.

Jumeirah Golf Estates by Greg Norman, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Peter Dye

Typical of Dubai, this is a Golf Estate, with 4 courses incorporating the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water, designed by three well known golfers and a golf course architecht legend.Greg Norman sorted out the Fire and Earth. Sergio Garcia was the new boy to design and was given Wind? Vijay Singh dealt with the Water.I expect all three were pleased to have the design pro 'helping out'

They always have to do it bigger,bolder and better, but the truth is, it often works in Dubai. Its worked so well they have changed the name of the European Order of Merit to 'The Race to Dubai' and moved the European Tour Headquarters to the Fire and Water entrances as well. Apparently, its not about the money, but perhaps the year round training and performance facilities, will enable our European boys to compete with the US Golfers, who afterall, have had the benefits of Florida, Hawaii and Carolina for years. Its a similar flight time, its just that we are moving continent.

Celtic Manor, Wales, starring Colin Montgomerie and Robert Trent Jones (and the Roman Empire)

Celtic Manor has 3 courses and its Twenty Ten Course to be the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2010. Can you see what they've done there? But they still couldn't keep away from the Pro Golf Designer Course which they call 'The Montgomerie'by Colin Montgomerie.Can you see what they've done there? The Original Celtic Manor course was called The Roman Road Course, and thats because several Roman Roads cross the course.......
The most important fact about the Roman Road course is that it was designed by Robert Trent Jones, the most important course architecht EVER. He invented his own degree course as he went along, taking courses in surveying, horticulture and hydraulics amoungst other subjects, once ill health ruled him out of competitive Golf. It is said that the sun never sets on a course designed by Robert Trent Jones, which might be true. The furthest west I could find was Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course, Maui in Hawaii; the most easterly being in Chamonix in France. Then theres a massive clump in the USA. I wonder why Celtic Manor felt they needed another go at it!