Up In The Air

Hey Friend,

I’m just going to be honest with you; I find myself torn on the tone I’m trying to strike for this newsletter. This is the third SGDQ I’ve written since the pandemic began, and they aren’t getting easier! I’m walking the line between the exciting things happening for my business and the impacts of the virus happening all around us.

For 10+ years golf has been clawing its way back, and despite a couple of uncertain months this summer, golf is back to crushing it, and so is Staples Golf.

I’m doing more travelling than ever, and as some of you know, travelling itself has undergone some change. Flight flexibility isn’t what it used to be, nor are the dining options. I was joking the other day about how these changes have affected my typical “end-of-travel-season" physique. That’s right, this guy is 10lbs. lighter than when the pandemic started.  YAS!!

Anyhow, it's time to raise your seatbacks to their full and upright positions, get that mask on (over your nose), and let’s gooooo!!!!

First Stop... Olympia Fields

The BMW Championship was last month, and as promised, my report on volunteering at the tournament is as follows; awesome, incredible, and a whole lotta work! It’s amazing to me what happens in preparation for a Tour event, even with no fans!  As one of 15(!) volunteers, I enjoyed kicking around the North Course with Sam and Paul, as well as with Jake, Kiko, and Eddie (Eddie in pic below), setting pins, talking green speeds, and taking moisture percentages.

I have such a better understanding of this property now, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to get to work on these courses. The Club is now full steam ahead on finalizing our South Course master plan, so much more to come soon.

I was also able to squeeze in a couple of podcasts with the Fried Egg and Golf Historians on my work at O.F., which you can check out by clicking on their respective links.

Overnights in Cincinnati

Terrace Park Country Club is a fantastic old Club in Milford, OH, built in 1910. They brought me in to do some design work for their 13th hole, which was a bit at odds with the Little Miami River/ East Fork Miami River confluence, which it sits on.

The hole’s reconstruction is nearing completion, and I’ve been working with the Club on addressing other areas of the course too. Stay tuned!

Redeyes to Miami

We’ve just kicked-off construction work at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens (about an hour's drive north of Miami) for the Re-Imagination Plan for the Squire Course.  Nothing beats flying out late, and then 12 hours later, hitting the I-95 back to the airport just in time for a late-nighter back home! Well anyway, we’re set to publish the Press Release for the project soon, but here’s a taste to wet your whistle:

“I intend to take The Squire to another level in terms of strategy, playability, and of course, the fun factor,” says Staples. “I’m looking to harnesses the three most innovative trends in the industry: 1) reducing the time it takes to play, 2) increasing player enjoyment, and 3) instilling classic design principles that spur interest in the game of golf.”

“The design philosophy of the new course revolves around creating golf holes that foster the match-play style of golf design and will look to harness a player’s emotion of attempting heroic shots on each hole – take a risk, and hopefully the player will reap the rewards of a bold and courageous shot.”

More to come on this awesome opportunity to work in Florida for a great Owner.

Zooming Canada

My master planning project at the Willie Park Jr. designed Mt. Bruno Country Club near Montreal, Quebec, will be taking place strictly over Zoom, at least for the near term. (Hey- remember rotary phones!?)

Sure, it may present some small challenges, and I’d much rather be on the ground, but things are what they are, and this is what it is. It’s certainly a first, but regardless of the barriers, we’re doing some really cool things on an incredible property, and I’m very fortunate to be working with a great group up there.

Thanks as always for staying until the end. I know it’s still crazy out there with so much uncertainty on the horizon, but I continue to believe in the power of the human spirit in overcoming great challenges such as these. What do you think??? Let me know!

Until next time, take care of yourself, and each other.

Sincerely,

Andy Staples, ASGCA