I´m a Donald Ross fan.  I readily admit it when the topic of golf course designers comes up.  Ever since I took the pilgrimage to Dornoch and learned more about the man, I am in awe of the impact he has had on the game.  With over 400 courses built in the U.S.A. during the golden age of golf, the legacy of a Ross designed course is one to be enjoyed and savored over and over again.  The good thing for me is, here in Ohio, there are a number of Ross designed courses within easy driving distance.

One of my favorite Donald Ross courses is Maketewah Country Club. Tom Dendelow´s original tract was redesigned and refined by Ross just before golf´s “Roaring Twenties.”  Just north of Cincinnati, Maketewah is a jewel among the rolling hills of southwest Ohio.  The beautifully tree lined layout has been a favorite USGA U.S. Open qualifying site for over forty years.

Always meticulously maintained, Maketewah is a golfer´s treat.  While many courses created during the 1920s have been rendered obsolete by modern-day technology, Maketewah remains a challenge to both professional and amateur alike.

One hole in particular is Number 11.  The elevated tee leads to a further elevated green that is steeply sloped while tucked neatly at the end of a 321-yard dog-leg left, tree lined fairway that lies true to the hills and vales Ross utilizes so well. The pin is fiercely protected by three strategically positioned bunkers that Ross knew would give golfers pause to consider each approach shot.

This hole offers many options for risk and reward.  As the course guide indicates, fairway accuracy is the key to maintaining par.  Place your tee shot in the fairway anywhere up the hill and Ross provides a statistically safe shot to the green.  A well executed iron can set up a birdie opportunity; however, depending on the placement of the pin, you could have your work cut out for you.  As the guide says, “you may 4 putt.”

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to play Maketewah with my son, who served as an assistant pro at the club.  After a well-played first nine, we arrived at the eleventh.  We made our way to the tee-box and sized up the conditions of the day.  An ever so slight breeze was rustling the leaves.  It was a beautiful afternoon – one that stirs the senses.  My son took out his driver and teed up his ball. “Going for all the marbles?” I asked. “It just takes one shot, Dad.”

He struck a powerful drive that cut the left tree line then faded from view. “Wow!”  I exclaimed, “That could be the shot of the day.”  “Or, it could be in that first trap,” Geoff countered.  Whatever the ball´s fate, it was what I imagined a perfect Donald Ross signature risk/reward shot to be.

I followed the course guide and placed my ball in the fairway along the left side. My second shot was short and to the right.  I figured I would need a good wedge to get the ball close to the pin and tap in for par.  Satisfied with my plan, I drove up the hill with Geoff in anticipation of where his drive had come to rest.  There, not 18 inches from the pin, was the ball.  He had executed a pure flight path which set up his eagle.  As Geoff stood over the ball, I marveled again at the awesome trajectory of that small, white sphere as it tracked a path laid out by a gentleman of the game over 90 years ago.  In this day of “instant disposable” everything, it´s nice to see the work of one man surviving while providing golfers a great venue for recreation and contemplation.  Thanks Mr. Ross!

Text © 2011, The iQuest Group, LLC

allan@iquestgolf.com

www.iquestgolf.com

Steve Williams and Adam Scott at the AT&T National. Steve now carries Adam´s bag

It´s official.  Things have changed.  The twelve-year relationship with Tiger Woods is kaput.  Steve Williams has been part of thirteen of Tiger′s fourteen major wins.  A lot of water has flowed under their bridge.  But, it seems as though, according to Steve, Tiger has completely blown up that bridge and is moving on.

You knew it was coming.  The fallout from Tiger′s extra-curricular affairs is not over.  Even fair Elin is finding it hard to trust men after it was revealed that her new interest has had dalliances with one of Tiger´s main flings, Rachel Uchitel.  Who can blame Elin?  Sir Walter Scott said it best when he said, ”Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!”  Or, if you′re a country fan, then it´s Harlan Howard′s, “I′ve got heartaches but the number, troubles by the score.”

One thing is for sure, Tiger needs to reinvent himself if he has any hopes of playing competitive golf again.  Part of his plan is putting a new team together.  And, that sucks for Steve.  Hopefully, Tiger can succeed in picking up the pieces, getting his knee and ankle back to 100%, and taking control on the course again.  His presence on the course has been missed; but, regardless, there has been a lot of good golf  played lately.

In my opinion though, it′s not going to be that easy for Tiger to come back.  I see Tiger leaving the world of golf, sooner than later, and taking up a more social and political agenda.  His world recognition and the money he has banked will lead him in a new direction.  Whether it will be good or bad is to be determined.  That new horizon has yet to be crystallized.  If not that, he has his handlers that will suggest what to do.

Good thing is… Steve is a very competent caddie.  He has landed a spot with fellow Aussie, Adam Scott.  I′m thinking that it′s a good match for both.  I believe that Adam will gain from Steve′s experience on the bag.

The caddie arrangement with Tiger has left Steve fixed financially; however, you gotta know that his next windfall of cash isn′t going to be carrying the bag for Scott.  It will be realized when he chronicles his travels with Tiger.  That will be a mega-best-seller!  That is, unless Tiger′s team pays him off – sometimes, world figures do that.  What do you think?

Text © 2011, The iQuest Group, LLC

allan@iquestgolf.com

www.iquestgolf.com/blog

Well, it wasn´t Rory McIlroy or Graeme McDowell this week at Royal St. George´s; it was the graying veteran of many a links battle, the “old bloke that likes to buy a round” from Portrush, the other Northern Irishman who captured golf´s most prized possession. Darren Clarke bested the field and, although he stumbled a bit over the last couple holes, came out on top of an American field that was nipping at his heels waiting for him to falter.

Phil Mickelson, battling the elements and his “demons of the linksland,” along with Dustin Johnson tied for second with a revitalized Anthony Kim, Chad Campbell, and the  young super-star Rickie Fowler sharing fifth place.  A determined Davis Love III rounded out the American effort to capture this year´s Open Championship.

Six of this year´s top ten finishers were Americans; only Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, Englishman Simon Dyson, crowd favorite Sergio Garcia, and front-runner Thomas Bjorn were numbered among the elite top-ten.

Tournament Golf  tests the mettle of each player that calls himself a golfer.  Each year, The Open Championship offers up the premier test of nature´s unpredictable elements and the game.  This year Darren Clarke rose to the challenge, showed his mettle over four days of intense competition and took hold of the Claret Jug.  Each year there is only one champion; but, to be inscribed on the Claret Jug is forever.  Congratulations Darren!

Text © 2011, The iQuest Group, LLC

allan@iquestgolf.com

www.iquestgolf.com/blog