Nick Ribeiro, founder of the Preserved Links Society, had me on his podcast where we essentially talked course architecture for an hour and a half nonstop. Nick and I have been friends for years and the litany of text exchanges and discussions we have about all things golf is constant and wide-ranging, so this seemed like a snapshot of those discussions recorded for posterity.
Some of the topics we discuss include:
- Pine Valley impressions
- National Golf Links of America impressions
- Golfadelphia and the idea behind the reviews, as well as how they’re put together (and the backlog!)
- Thoughts on Sweetens and Bandon
- The renovation/restoration trend
- The recent renovation at Llanerch and its new course identity
- The impact of design styles and comparing them
- Long Island golf scene
A few things to clean up. First and foremost, I really wish I included Blake Conant when discussing the changes at Llanerch. Blake was heavily involved with Brian in forming and carrying out those changes. I was thinking about the 2016 U.S. Open, which was hosted at Oakmont, it was not 2018. And I was thinking of the Road Bunker at St. Andrews; am not sure why I blanked on that other than I’m getting old.
Preserved Links is a golf society focused on the history and design of golf clubs and their courses as well as the camaraderie inherent in the game. Here’s their link: https://www.preservedlinks.com
I always say I talk golf with anyone who will listen. The podcast was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to do more of them!
