Onward, onward we go chums. After a unique sprint of Majors since The Masters last November, we now hurtle towards the biggest fun week of all, the Ryder Cup. A year late – and all the more welcome for that painful delay – the 43rd matches betwixt the USA and Europe will certainly offer a vivid contrast to the hurly-burliness of the 2018 rumble at Le Golf National, the Eiffel Tower a backdrop, cosmopolitan Paris a hectic staging post for everyone concerned.
It’s not that the imaginative jousting field that is Whistling Straits is inferior; it is not. It is, however, somewhat quieter. Perched on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, this Wisconsin course is also near, well, not a lot. Wisconsin, after all, is known as America’s dairyland, with cows and sheep aplenty. It comes with a huge reputation for producing great cheese, although those of us who have actually tasted American cheese may narrow our eyes a little at this particular accolade.
Whatever your own cheesy thoughts on this, it is beyond doubt that Whistling Straits is one of the very best courses created anywhere in the second half of the 20th century, designed and built by, for me and many others, the greatest designer of this period. Pete Dye died last year aged 94, but what a legacy he left behind – courses like TPC Sawgrass and the Ocean course at Kiawah Island.
Shortly before Kiawah was completed I spent a couple of hours with him, walking the course and playing some holes. He was both eccentric and fascinating; his mission statement was to build courses that were different, visually brilliant and deceptive. He also liked them to be the brutal side of challenging if you failed to recognise the subtlety. No wonder he was hailed as the Picasso of golf design.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2021-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2021-Ausgabe von Golf Monthly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.
Surprise packages
Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event
A LEGEND
Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...
STOKE PARK
I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.