KESWICK, Va. – Pete Dye is in his late eighties now, but the most innovative golf course architect of this generation shows no signs of slowing down. His latest creation, Full Cry, is proof of that. Full Cry opened informally in September at the Keswick Golf Club with the formal opening on Oct. 10. It’s…
Author: lenz
The Homestead is all about history — starting with the first tee
HOT SPRINGS, Va. – I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place quite like The Homestead. This resort – officially The Omni Homestead since July of 2013 — is about so much more than golf. Located just 39 miles over windy two-lane roads from the West Virginia state line, The Homestead also offers such…
Finding America’s first golf course wasn’t easy
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Setting foot on the grounds of America’s first golf course took awhile – four years to be exact. Finally, though, it happened. That’s the good news. The unfortunate part is that Oakhurst Links, saved by a purchase by Jim Justice, owner of the Greenbrier Resort, was closed for the season…
IT ZIEHMS TO ME: Mystic Hills was a fun ending to Pete Dye Trail tour
CULVER, Ind. – Mission accomplished. It took four years, but my attempt to play all seven courses on Indiana’s Pete Dye Golf Trail ended with a bang on a cold but sunny November afternoon – a most pleasant way to finish a most pleasant golf odyssey. While Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is the…
IT ZIEHMS TO ME: Hazeltine is Ryder Cup-ready already
CHASKA, Minn. – In just a couple years a golf club that is just 52 years old will become only the second in history to host all of the top six championships played on American soil. Hazeltine National, which opened in 1962, has already hosted the U.S. Open (1970, 1991), the U.S. Women’s Open (1966,…
Streelman, International Crown create a buzz as Chicago season winds down
Chicago’s golf season may be in its final days as far as 2014 goes, but you wouldn’t know it by developments over the last few days. On the PGA Tour Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman made a final-round charge in the Shriners Hospital for Children’s Open in Las Vegas on Sunday. Making five birdies in a six-hole…
IT ZIEHMS TO ME: Crown sponsorship climaxes big golf week for Chicago
Chicago’s golf season may be in its final days as far as 2014 goes, but you wouldn’t know it by developments over the last few days. On the PGA Tour Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman made a final-round charge in the Shriners Hospital for Children’s Open in Las Vegas on Sunday. Making five birdies in a six-hole…
IT ZIEHMS TO ME: Flower Hole is still golf’s most beautiful
When you visit the SentryWorld course in Stevens Point, WI., there’s always the temptation to get overwhelmed by its world-renowned Flower Hole. I’ve seen lots of beautiful golf holes, but No. 16 at SentryWorld remains my choice as the most beautiful. The course opened in 1982 and was recently renovated by Robert Trent Jones Jr….
IT ZIEHMS TO ME: WWGA honors two of its long-time leaders
Long before there was a Ladies Professional Golf Assn. there was the Women’s Western Golf Assn. This organization has spearheaded golf for girls and women since 1901. This week the WWGA honored two of its longstanding leaders. Susan Wagner and Audrey Peterson were presented with Woman of Distinction Awards at the WWGA’s annual meeting at…
Sainz, Small come up short in Chicago Open; Ruthkoski wins in playoff
Carlos Sainz Jr., the new PGA Tour member from Elgin, was in position to defend his Chicago Open title Tuesday and Mike Small, the University of Illinois men’s coach, had a chance to win, too. He jumped into a tie for the lead after making five birdies in a row in a furious back nine…