18 observations, thoughts and predictions for the week in golf…
- I’m totally OK with the additional players in the field for the Sentry. With the challenges that exist already to get all members starts, let alone getting the very best together as often as possible, a field of roughly 60 works. Kapalua has been, and remains, the very best place to start the new season. Superior optics and a golf course that produces angles, and height and flight on shots that are uncommon for most tour events. May it always be Maui to start.
- Mark Rolfing is a friend, but beyond that he’s a genuine friend of golf. His involvement with players, projects and initiatives in the game are boundless. His expert voice on all things Hawaii is as reliable as any person associated with a town, tournament or region anywhere in professional golf. His love for his home is admirable.
- Received the “Mackenzie Reader” as a Christmas gift and it’s a must keepsake for all thoughts and writings from Dr. Mackenzie. Available through the Mackenzie Institute it is a compilation of his writing and so many holes in addition to a collection of essays from various historians. The opening chapter on is background in the construction of entrenchments is worth the purchase by itself.
- The ambition of King/Collins for their new project The 21 Golf Club outside Aiken, South Carolina is next level. The creation of the 9 double green concept never actually executed by Alistair Mackenzie is as interesting a project currently being funded. I’m determined to get down there throughout the build process of the two courses. Aiken is blazing with top projects.
- Jason Day’s new apparel deal with Malbon got plenty of attention this week. Going away from just being another Nike guy is good for him and us. Way too many guys look too much like each other and that’s why Keith Mitchell gets the appreciation he deserves from his commitment to celebrating the styles of Sid Mashburn. Its invaluable to look different in one of the few sports that allows it.
- I’m determined to play the following for the first time this year. Royal Dornoch, Nairn, Skibo Castle, Camargo, Rock Creek Cattle Company, Myopia Hunt Club, High Pointe, Shoreacres, Lido, Eastward Ho, and The Creek. Ambitious and determined. A good combination.
- Not surprisingly Kevin Kisner was glib, insightful and comfortable on his first broadcast. Two reasons why he’s going to be considered great at this as we predicted, one, you can either do it or you can’t. It doesn’t mean you can’t get better if you start off poorly it’s just that your ceiling is going to be low. Secondly, Kevin is exceedingly well-liked by the young influencers and content creators. He will get great reviews because consciously or not people have agendas. Kevin won’t need the excessive positive feedback because he’s going to be excellent at his new job but he’s going to get it and that will only enhance his standing and foster even greatly validation of the hire by NBC.
- Watched Paul Giamatti’s new movie “The Holdovers” about a prep school in the early 70’s. Great writing, funny, poignant and Giamatti is outstanding. Highly recommend.
- Rory McIlroy validated again the weightiness to his words this past week with his reflections on his evolving position on LIV golf. He certainly didn’t toss bouquets in the direction of all LIV players but his willingness to express a more pragmatic position had Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman immediately commending Rory. Only Tiger would illicit such response. Heady company.
- Viktor Hovland turned a glaring weakness, his chipping, into a bonafide asset with the assistance of Joe Mayo this past year. Hovland disclosed this past week they are no longer working together. Only those involved know the true nature of relationships but the instability of instructors and caddies at the top of the professional game would be an unnerving existence.
- Dylan Dethier of Golf Magazine has gotten much more attention over the last year from his inclusion on “Full Swing” but he has taken his already excellent writing to another level. His work is fantastic and must-read stuff for all things pro golf related.
- The “half pars” on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, especially on the inward nine make the final two hours of coverage among the most entertaining in televised golf. Half par holes are the most fun for the recreational golfer and they are easily the most compelling for the broadcast product. Coore/Crenshaw and Gil Hanse have mastered a design concept used by the likes of George Thomas, Alistair Mackenzie and C.B. MacDonald a hundred years ago.
- Akshay Bhatia is a star in the making. It was always his journey, and I was simply hoping he’d get past the challenge of teenage transition to his professional career without any collateral and what he is now is dynamic and a sheer delight. Supremely interesting to listen to and his golf swing is wildly electric. He’s easily one of the most entertaining players in the game.
- Eric Cole was just announced as the Rookie of the Year this past week and proceeded to start the year with another quality result. At 35, Cole didn’t get the meter running on the PGA Tour until very late and that’s why I will celebrate every top 10 and another big check after spending a dozen years just keeping the dream alive on countless minor league tours. Plow that field EC.
- Jacob Modleski was an alternate to start the week of the Jones Cup Invitational at Ocean Forest and emerged the winner of the first and one of the very best amateur events in golf. The freshman from Notre Dame shot a final round 69 to finish 1 under and win by one. The field and the venue are elite and the win is a massive way to start his year.
- Jordan Spieth is going to have a big year. The best he’s had since his last major win season in 2017. I expect him to win on the west coast and be one of the three betting favorites when we get to Masters week.
- Chris Kirk is not a good story, he’s a continual story of inspiration. As one also leading a journey of recovery his willingness to speak on his gratitude and hope helps so many people. I promise it does.
- A final reminder that we will be releasing episode 1 of “America’s Guest” this week. We want to celebrate truly special places and we promise you will be blown away by CapRock Ranch.