Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects: A Treasury of the World's Greatest Golf Courses by History's Master Designers

(Hardback)

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The tests a golfer faces on the course are the direct result of the challenges originally faced by the golf course architect, whether they be complicated terrain, forces of nature, budget limitations, demanding developers, or the difficult task of balancing the practical scientific needs of a golf course with the architects creative instincts.

Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects offers readers behind-the-scenes tales from Americas master architects themselves in their own words. Elite designers such as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Arthur Hills, Arnold Palmer, and others share their personal anecdotes related to the creation of some of the worlds most famous courses: from run-ins with snakes to bulldozers sinking in quicksand, to holes created by accident, such as the famed island green 17th at the TPC at Sawgrass.

Published in collaboration with the prestigious American Society of Golf Course Architects, Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects includes more than 150 beautiful full-color photographs and dozens of drawings and course blueprints, making this a first of its kind insiders look at golf course architecture sure to become a key addition to the libraries of all golfers with an appreciation for the courses they play.

Reviews

You might think that, since the game of golf has been around for a long, long time, it would stand to reason that the profession of golf course architect has also been around for a long, long time. You would be mistaken. The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) dates only from the late 1940s. As you might expect, the organization has a small membership. You might also assume that, with profession. In truth, the aura exceeds the reality. What Shiels (who has coauthored books with Larry King and Donald Trump) has done is to give brief observations, stories, and insights from 118 members of the ASGCA (which sponsored the book). Of particular note, many of the golf course architects "happened" into the field, and these stories are particularly interesting. The book covers a raft of viewpoints on design issues, construction problems, client egos, and professional golfers whose sole contribution to course design is their name. Dipping into this book is sort of like meeting a new friend in a lounge for a drink and sharing a story or two. Shiels has managed to take individual observations and create a seamless story bolstered by drawings and spectacular photographs. Recommended for sports collections. "

Author Bio

Michael Patrick Shiels is the author of several books, including Golfs Short Game for Dummies and Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects. Shiels is also a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and was an advance volunteer for George H. W. Bushs two presidential campaigns. He serves on the committee for the George H. W. Bush Celebrity Golf fundraiser in Kennebunkport. Shiels resides in Michigan, where he hosts an award-winning syndicated morning radio program.