Oh, What the hell, some scientific digression is in order today

the redanman  LOVES Science (And Arthur C. Clarke gets a plug)

Quadrantids, Lyrids, Eta Aquarids , Perseids, Orionids, Leonids, Geminids - the mostly annular, meteor showers expected in 2013.  Most are assumed to be consistent or proven to be related to known cometary orbits.

Bolides, Meteors, meteorites - all sizes like the universe's little bodies. A BIG Bolide created the Golfo de Mexico 65M years ago and led to the rise of the mammals at the expense of many species, most notably the Dinosaurs we know and love so well.  All these suckers have various orbits that cross or don't cross the earth's orbit - Asteroids or other cosmic debris.  Statistically likely is that the Bolide that Russia experienced was part of this "rarely earth orbit intersecting event" which  happened basically instantaneously in *cosmic* time. a couple of days compared with several billion years is on a cosmic scale indistinguishable.

Whether or not these are relative one-offs, they are nonetheless really cool events.  "Magic" to those unaware of the science behind them.  Part of Arthur C. Clarke's: Three Laws of prediction

1- When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right.
2- When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
3- ****Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.**** aka Religion to most of the world's population. Such as basic cosmology, well worthy of our worship and devotion.

So the Russian event:
The biggest object recorded to hit the Earth since Tunguska - a solitary 10 ton bolide.  Tunguska was in 1908 - a nanosecond of cosmic time. Don't know Tunguska?   Look it up, really cool.

Understanding scale is key to knowing that HICC (Human Induced Climatic Change) better known as "Global Warming" is total bullshit as it is unobservable and certainly not asymptotic!

"Some Scientists" are saying that DA 14 is not related to this Bolide/vice versa, but statistical significance says it is, especially since the bolide had not be discovered prior to atmospheric impact.

So what about the relation to HICC?  The debris in the air from the bolide will not change our climate, just as Tushunga did not nor did the in atmospheric A and H Bomb Tests(Know the difference for extra credit)  do so although well-meaners sold us on "Nuclear Winter".  Well ....

Post hoc ergo propter hoc   or .... thank GOD for that Rooster whose crowing for causing the sun to rise every day. Now THAT'S some science!

Must be winter, rankings starting to pop up

Golf Digest has proffered their rankings, the first of the 2013 season.  They are now publishing out to 0.0001 in their silly system. (Are we talking carats of Diamonds here?) There is a total of 11 points from 1st to 100th

Exhibit 1D (for Dumbfounded)
Conditioning for Winged Foot - same property, same grounds staff
West: 8.1306
East: 7.5237



I love the rankings as they confirm to me time after time that there are in America but 20-30 Classical and perhaps 10-15 Modern (post 1960 using GW's timeline which I prefer in discussing) courses listing as being true courses of merit. This particular (and expanding SET of ) list(s) has shown its flaws ever more clearly than ever before. I really had to stifle audible laughter as Gold Digest so blatantly published a second 100 for the first time. A very obvious response to criticisms levied in recent years has caused an over-swinging pendulum towards the previously ignored post 1960 courses to a now disproportionate degree.  Belt-notching is reaching an all-time degree of shamelessness with little circles before each "Best in State" listed course so that one can brag it out. One no longer needs a $99 wooden plaque with brass pins as Golf Magazine will sell you, all you need to do is steal your dentist's copy of GD and nick a pen from the next hotel you visit - then it's free!.

We are seeing the lists show some truths, however.

• Where people go gets ranked disproportionately - most obvious in State by State lists
• What is famous from tournaments gets ranked disproportionately
• There are clearly most favourite architects to rare exclusion of truly notable courses
• Several people's opinions matter disproportionately and have been influential in shaping tastes
• Trends are blatantly in order as to features, assumed intent, styles and architects

Lists are generated from amassing a minimum number of individual opinions and combining them - even this does not truly recognize the truly outstanding 20 + 10 until you get into the 2nd hundred.

All of us have our personal tastes, biases and preferences.  I always admit to liking quirk, design that leads to faster play, a rejection of arts & crafts for it's own end and I like more challenging but eschew "Major Tournament Venue" courses in coming to evaluate and determine a personal list.  I use as example the wonderful (and mostly ignored) architect Steve Smyers  frequently in conversation; also count Kelly Blake Moran in that category.  Hopefully not too many of my followers are saying "who?" at this juncture.  These two by no means are the only ones.

Like what you like because It all depends on your definition of good and great.  Awesome you will not likely see on these pages without some negative disclaimer. At least lists give us a point in the right direction.  More to come, but I won't waste much time criticising lists themselves too much as I for one understand Math and respect its brutality.

"Proposed" Ban on Anchoring

After much waiting (Over 2 years behind the scenes, BTW not 15 months) the joint teleconference was held a short while ago.

A further refinement of the definition of "stroke" is the summary.

It was issued as a proposal with a proffered 3 month period of discussion and not a hard ruling.  It is short and sweet.  There is a feel of "testing the waters" perhaps as information gathering for a future reference point.  We all know that the distance issue is a greater one.  That one can be a win-win in many way and is easily addressed by pure science - utilisation of polymers that conform to a lesser standard - really rather easy.  Kudo to Geoff Shackleford for trying to bring up the topic.

Staying in the present - the definition of stroke and both defining and banning anchoring (which has never in my mind constituted a "stroke") was well-thought out and well-presented today. Let's embrace keeping the nature of the "stroke" functionally the same with each of the 14 clubs in the bag.

Too long in coming, but very welcome.

Here's some polls to follow - Two sides of the pond


Telegraph.co.uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/9708750/Ban-on-anchoring-long-putters-to-be-imposed-from-2016.html


Geoffshakelford.com

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2012/11/28/anchoring-ban-instant-poll-do-you-support-rule-14-1b-as-prop.html

edit: Into the poll 4 days there is more support for the broomstick on the West side of the pond.  I'd have thought it the East. Both polls are substantially on board with the ruling bodies' proposal.

Shorts for Professional Men

In Turkey this week the wearing of shorts brought out more than a few comments on Professional Men Golfers wearing shorts.  I heard it at clubs and it was on the almighty internet  some were downright silly calling out "Chicken Legs" was one kind one, but shorts are the wear of choice for most men who play unless it's cold or mandated.  Gentlemen at Baltusrol used to go to great lengths to get wafer-thin trousers to meet the requirement which considering the hot humid days one gets in central New Jersey a bit much.

During my stint at the California Golf Club of San Francisco, long pants were mandated, but with weather closer to Brora than Barcelona, hardly anyone but me complained.  Places such as ANGC talk about "Tradition" and "Gentlemen" but one must remember that the (Egalitarian, by contrast) Scots who invented and popularized the game wore what they wore because it was well, rather cold.  Plenty of Scots and Englishmen wear shorts when it makes sense to them, they choose.

This week the argument at Geoff Shackleford's site in discussion of this aspect of the game got way off track on a skin cancer debate but I guess it is irrelevant that Natalie Gulbis or Sandra Gal get skin cancer as these sports fans want to see some skin.  I pick these two ladies for a reason - Ms. Gulbis is fair and needs to watch more carefully than Ms. Gall (although German a Czech by birth as are my forebearers) who tans easily and naturally due to genetic predisposition.  Me?  I'm for a ban on tight white pants on fat men and while we're at it, all white - belts, shoes (ugh!) and Drivers, too.  I'm OK with keeping white balls, for the record, they are a nice contrast on green and shades of brown- speeding play.

So what are we to take from the debate?

The caddies have finally been relieved of their long pants and an overwhelming majority have donned Bermuda length shorts.  No calls of chicken legs there.  Having endured the 90-90 days South Florida (as well as other spots) is famous for, I have been a shorts wearer at golf unless required by club mandate.  Let's at least allow our professional golfers to have the choice.

Wave to me at Brora next time you see me there, I'm the tall one in shorts pushing a trolley which has my bag on it.

Tillinghast's Paramount (Dellwood) New City, NY

Hudson River Palisades - Paramount View

NEW City, no the "York" is not missing.  This very southern part of New York adjacent to that stretch of NY Thruway which runs East-West near the New Jersey border connecting the Tappan Zee to the main Thruway is not often on the list of places talked about regarding New York golf courses; the density is far less here than it is in the other areas of the Tri-State adjacent to the city itself. Close to but not on the west banks of the Hudson River (Basically directly across from Sleepy Hollow and Hudson National on the East Side) is where you'll find Paramount.  East-looking views to the Palisades crest-line of the nearby peaks makes up the simple new logo for the club.  Once standing on the green of the rather unusual and perhaps unique first hole,  looking back to the east, a wonderful view of the ridgeline and the magnificent basalt columns appears.  There is a lovely piece of land for the golf course split by a roadway that is truly in play and this high land comprises most of the first nine.  The higher land is fortunately encountered first and one marvels in the challenging land Old Dead Guy Architects of quality used to lay out golf courses in a time when a powered golf car was not even an option.  Tillinghast has laid a course on a steep piece of land elsewhere - most notably just a short drive down the Palisades to Alpine, but this first hole at Paramount is more vexing than the tenth at Alpine, but perhaps less accommodating, I offer that it depends on your particular skill set.  Tillinghast used less distinctly template designs but had them nonetheless and most importantly the 18th hole is a rather good and perhaps unique rendition of his "Reef" hole as featured in the Tillinghast writings. Once down from the high ground after the sixth green, the remainder of the course is laid beautifully on voluptuously rolling lands east of the centrally located clubhouse.

Last Monday we had a number of Tillinghast luminaries playing including Bob Trebus and Rick Wolffe, perhaps the two men most responsible for creating the great Tillinghast literature that we have available to us at a celebration of Paramount.  The occasion was the club's introduction to the Metropolitan Golf Writer's Association of this (last of the?) true hidden gem(s).  Originally a personal course, it was constructed on a property comprising over 800 acres.  The routing is however tight and central in the routing is the original estate main house as the clubhouse. Certainly a bit lost under the indistinct name of "Dellwood C.C." - now paying tribute to original origins the name - now Paramount pays tribute to the location as well.   Dell started as a truly personal course  for Adolph Zukor, more than 50 years head of the Paramount Studio in Hollywood, a nice nod to Mr. Zukor's legacy.  His original name was The Dells Golf and Country Club before Dellwood but now known as Paramount it shows up on the proverbial radar. It was from the start intended to rival the local private clubs created in the more traditional way for a group of members. Recently the Mandelbaum family bought Dellwood with the intention of renovating it to greatness.

Urbina holding Master Class

Jim Urbina,  best known as the on-site man for Renaissance Golf's Old MacDonald effort at Bandon Dunes has been hired to professionally restore lost Tillinghast features and sensitively add necessary changes for the modern day.  I was fortunate to have lunch with Jim on Monday  and I also want to give a nod to Phil Young, a fine author well-known in the circles for his writings on Arthur Warren Tillinghast who compiled a small history for the club on which I have relied to fact check some historical points. The work is not complete at this point and we were able to see Master Plan, work in progress and some just being completed.  The majority of the greens just need some expansion and re-capture as the contouring is at times breathtaking (save the wholly blind and highly elevated first green) and at speed provide superior challenge.  As with most golden age courses, bunkers have been removed and are being restored.

The first hole is really one of note with a daring drive across the highway followed by a vertical sixty foot elevated shot to the green.

First looking to green from fairway short of road

 Some likened the hole to a junior 15th hole at Tillinghast's Black at the Bethpage facility (I for one do not give Burbeck even co-credit - let's dispense with that now), I also found number one a bit reminiscent of the opener of the King's at Gleneagles.  If you've played either you now have a good idea to go along with these photos.

First Green from Second Tee

An enlarged green has been completed and short grass surrounds help keep delays to a minimum as there is challenge enough in the two shots required.  A little more tree removal on the right near the second tee will make the hole more playable for more players as for now the right side of the fairway does not always allow a shot to the green.  I'm not a particular proponent of "Fair", but one cannot dishearten the player too severely and certainly not at the start.

The second is just as it was on course opening, nearly 600 yards par 5 with a wicked slope downhill and to the player's right the entire way.

First landing area on #2

These are really brilliant strategic holes requiring a thoughtful placement of each and every shot on the hole.  A great member's hole, one must always look forward to the challenge of this hole every play.  Properly laying up and being familiar with the demand of a short shot down the hill to the green provides a never tiring challenge to the player.

Second landing area on #2

Tillinghast was rather good at understanding the difficulty of constructing a demanding, interesting yet fun par 5 that holds interest and one must look forward as a member to playing such a varied hole every single time.

Immediate on the card, one is offered a lovely version of Tillie's "Tiny Tim" playing 145 at most and uphill to a semi-blind (a common Paramount visual) green with more than a handful of slope to conquer.  This is not a cupcake nor a breather in any way. Golf is so much better with this sort of hole rather than four 200-250 par threes on a course.  The challenges it presents to all levels of golfers, especially while giving hope to even the weakest golfers for a possible birdie putt is more of what golf needs - especially in modern design where all too often it seems that 6-iron is the requirement on the "short hole" for the course.

The "Tiny Tim"

All the par 3's are of note with Tiny Tim 

Reef Hole

and Reef pictured -









- these being noted Tillinghast named holes with the 13th requiring 250 yards, a driver at opening create quite a set! 

An Historical note - not just #18 (Reef) is a finishing par 3 but #9 is also a one-shotter completing the  distinguished four with a short wetlands carry and a well-bunkered  devil of a green for a mid-iron shot.  Both nines finish on a par three hole and as far as I know this is unique.

Reverse canted 12th fairway

A very wide variety of par 4 holes are at Paramount - from drive pitch holes,
reverse-cant dog-leg (Not "Elbow" to the true Tillinghast student) holes playing as much as 50 yards longer than the card length to those requiring a long precise play in after a demanding tee shot.

12th green

Overall #10 comes closest to indifference as it is merely least quirky yet a fine hole.  But as with what one comes to expect from Tillinghast, one does not struggle in the least to recall any hole at Paramount.  There are heroic uphill tee shots such as the fourth,

A True Skyline

 a superior true skyline green par 4 hole at the sixth and out of bounds in play long on par 4's at Paramount just to give a sampling.

Seventh Hole with O.B. Over the green

Staking of proposed bunker

I've included just a smattering of photos as I plan to return to update.  For example where




the yellow

Completed bunker by Urbina

flagged bunker locations laid out will be completed as shown from the par 5 17th.  I hope to direct some attention to this gem and to specifically note that the Metropolitan Golf Writer's Association is and has been loyal to the Tri-State NYC region in bringing such wonderful courses to our attention so I can offer to the architectural fans out there who follow me such tid-bits.

 Consider this post merely an introduction.

Fifth hole, Classic Tillinghast "Look"

Previously we at MGWA were introduced to North Shore on Long Island as a Tillinghast course but found that it was not even Robert White (Who had been a staff Professional) as suggested by an early consulting architect but actually Seth Raynor who likely built NSCC as his first solo work. (I had a pretty good feeling by the Road Hole but left the historical detective work to the men who do it best.)  I published that course here and Steve Shaeffer eventually divined the Raynor provenience.  No such detective work is needed for Paramount, its history is particularly well-documented. The irony of that last point is rather amusing in that Tre-Wolf and Tillinghast Association records did not discover this course until recently with the announcement of  this event.

Paramount is perhaps the least well-known course of quality I have come across in quite a number of years.  Stay with redanman for more.