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So how's this economic recovery working for you?  Yeah.  Me, too.  And it's working just about that well for golf courses all around the country.  Witness the bankruptcy of well-known and highly respected golf resorts like Sea Island and Reynolds Plantation.  So why should anyone be surprised when little known golf courses in out-of-the-way places suffer, too?

I built Hidden Fairways to feature exceptional golf courses in out-of-the-way places, so I suppose that by definition I have chosen at least some at-risk courses.  I mean, if a course has no major population center close at hand, it could well be left out of the party when its clientele begins to consider travel of any distance at all a luxury.  It's important that Hidden Fairways courses provide something very special to continue to draw a survivable amount of play.

And then one gets to the old "chicken or egg" question.  Do course conditions begin to go downhill when fewer golfers show up?  Or do fewer golfers show up when they find course conditions going downhill?  I suspect a case could be made for either.

This Spring has seen some distressing action within the Hidden Fairways family.  Ironwood, as I've written before, is undergoing a change for the better with new owner, Steve McIntosh seeming to get things back on track.  Hopefully, his deal with the previous owner will proceed smoothly and he'll move ahead with his plans.  One of the newest Hidden Fairways courses… RiverWatch, outside Sparta, Tennessee… hasn't fared quite as well.  They shut down for a winter break and haven't reopened as the current owner searches for a buyer.  I sincerely hope one is found.  RiverWatch is a beauty and it would make me very sad to see it vanish.

The toughest blow, though, came this week when I visited one of my favorite courses on the planet.  I was returning from a photo shoot at The Ledges, a wonderful private club outside Huntsville, Alabama and decided to drive thru Rising Fawn, Georgia and stop by Canyon Ridge (pictured above) to visit Doug Amor and take some new pics of the course.  When I called, Doug warned me that the course was not in good shape.  That was a bit of an understatement.  The greens are still excellent, but the tee boxes and fairways are baked out and weedy.  As beautiful as the property is, and as much as I love Rick Robbins' design work, I wouldn't add the course to Hidden Fairways if this were my first impression of it.  As it is, I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping an angel will drop out of the sky and save the day.  The course's financial problems have been going on for a while, but it really does seem as if the owner has simply decided to let it go now.  The course superintendent was let go at the end of last year and given that radical move, the resulting decline is to be expected.  It's my sincere hope that this amazing course becomes the Rocky Balboa of the golf course world, and returns to its championship condition.  We'll see.  I hope to have some better news to report next time I visit Rising Fawn.  In the meantime, I guess I'll just enjoy this wonderful economic recovery.

I had my first opportunity in quite a while to visit Ironwood Golf Club, in Cordele, Georgia on April 17th and 18th.  If you'll recall, I met with the Steve McIntosh, the new owner of the club a few weeks ago, shortly after he'd taken possession of the property.  I was impressed with Steve and felt like he had a good plan to get the course back on track after a couple of years of neglect.

So, following a photo shoot at Idle Hour Country Club, in Macon, I continued south to Cordele to see for myself how things are going.  The visit confirmed my earlier impressions of Steve.  He's an energetic fellow... I don't think I could keep up with his schedule for very long... and he's working very hard in his restoration project.  The course, itself, is in good condition.  Not great... but good.  I didn't have time to play while I was there, but the course looked very playable.  The greens were in good condition and the fairways were overall in good shape.  One of the big problems that had plagued the course was out-of-control roughs.  Apparently, the rough had at times grown to an unplayable length.  I'm very happy to report that they're now well under control.  A little weed control may be in order, but length is no longer a problem.

They've also just re-opened the restaurant and I can report from personal experience that the food is very good!  The menu is interesting, prices are reasonable and the service is enthusiastic!  Steve was kind enough to treat me to an excellent dinner on Wednesday night, and I definitely look forward to trying their food again in the future. 

Ironwood is emblematic of the overall shift in the golf economy these days.  Every golf course in the country is shifting priorities, adjusting budgets, and asking for more from existing personnel as they work to survive.  Ironwood, a course that I like quite a lot, was very close to going under until Steve worked out a deal with the previous owner.  But now I'd say the future looks very good as course conditions continue to improve and Steve implements more of his plans to bring back former members and attract new players to this wonderful South Georgia track.  So do yourself... and Steve McIntosh... a favor.  Take a drive to Cordele and see what rebirth looks like.  I'm certain you'll enjoy the course, and if you have a chance to try the food, you'll drive away with a big smile on your face!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!  I just had coffee with Stephen McIntosh, the new owner of Ironwood Golf Course, and I think everyone who's been saddened by the deterioration of this lovely South Georgia course is in for a treat.  As a business analyst, Stephen has a history of turning businesses around... at least one golf course among his successes... and as he begins the transformation process in Cordele, he is a bundle of energy.  His enthusiasm is infectious.  I felt it this morning.  And the remaining members at Ironwood apparently have the fever, too, as evidenced by the volunteer efforts that are currently underway to restore the course to its former glory. 

In 2009, Ironwood Golf Course, in Cordele, Georgia was where I first began wrapping my feeble brain around the idea of a Hidden Fairways web site.  It struck me that of the hundreds of golf courses I had visited over the previous few months, there were a select few that I would go out of my way to visit again.  In that group, of course, some were in major markets and had all the exposure they needed in order to thrive.  But it seemed to me that the ones like Ironwood, in small towns and rural areas, could use some additional exposure.  So in many respects, without Ironwood, there might not be a Hidden Fairways.  Whether that matters is subject to argument... but to me, Hidden Fairways matters.  And so does Ironwood Golf Course, so when I got some negative emails about deteriorating conditions at Ironwood it broke my heart.  Actually, I only received two, but since I've gotten no negative reports on any other Hidden Fairways courses, it bothered me.

So when I received an email from Stephen this morning, asking me to join him for coffee, I was very interested in hearing his plans.  I'd like to give Mr. McIntosh an opportunity to move ahead at a realistic pace without the burden of unrealistic expectations, so I don't want to spill too many of the beans right now.  Let me simply say that, if you are a golfer who's played Ironwood over the past year or so, only to be disappointed, that's about to change.  Keep your eyes on Ironwood's Hidden Fairways page.  As things develop, I'll keep you updated.  In the meantime, I'm making Ironwood's FREE GOLF coupon available to any visitor to this web site so everyone can have a chance to visit Cordele - without risk - to see what's happening.  They're working hard to get the course back in playable shape, and I suspect it'll be better every week as the Spring progresses.

At a time when major golf courses all over the country are being put up for sale, it's great to see this unique South Georgia track in the enthusiastic hands of its new owner.  Not that long ago, Ironwood was worth the 2 hour drive from Atlanta for a round of golf.  Soon, it will be that once again... and more.

 

 

Temperatures in the 70's.  In February!  Yay!!!  So I had to play hookie and head for the golf course.  Every course in metro Atlanta has been offering specials, so it was simply a matter of making a selection.  I chose Stone Mountain Park's Lakemont course, a track I've played a lot, but not in a few years.  They had a great special, so my cheap side was sufficiently satisfied to book a tee time.

I was so disappointed.  The golf courses at Stone Mountain Park are managed by Marriott, a group I've always found to be great at managing golf courses, but somebody is making some bad decisions as we all muddle thru golf's current downturn.  I drove into the park, ready to have a great time.  I've always liked Lakemont, a short but challenging... and always well-maintained course.  Not this year.  Marriott should be embarrassed.  The greens were bad.  The fairways ran the gamut, from hardpan to slushy mud.  And there were lots of bare areas, where bare areas didn't used to exist.  All in all, it was really sad to see an Atlanta golf staple in such poor shape.

So the question is, how does a great golf course go bad?  I can't speak with any inside knowledge about Stone Mountain Park, but I know many courses are cutting back on chemicals, trimming staff and generally hunkering down to try and survive the bad weather and poor economy.  It's a challenging and fine line, trimming budgets but continuing to offer a quality product to golfers.  And Stone Mountain has blown it.  I know it's been an awful winter.  But I've been on many courses this winter... from small, low-budget muni's to high-end private clubs... and most of them have managed to find a balance that meets their economic needs and still allows them to continue giving golfers a great round.

My goal at Hidden Fairways is generally to share the good news of courses that are doing things right, in even the toughest of times.  And I don't criticize a course lightly.  It's a tough endeavor, maintaining hundreds of acres of lawn.  But if you're considering playing Stone Mountain Park any time soon, don't.  The people are nice.  The service was good.  But I go to a golf course for the golf, and Stone Mountain isn't worth the gas to get there.  Let's hope they get things in order soon.

There have been some interesting issues in the golf press lately.  I particularly love the Tommy Gainey story.  His swing, clearly, is not Hoganesque, but his spirit is inspiring.  He just keeps getting up and coming back for more.  I can't tell you how much I was rooting for him on Monday, at The Waste Management event.  This guy is definitely golf's Every Man.  And I'm a fan.

I've seen some other items, though, that are sending me over the edge.  First, I read last month in Golfweek that Taylormade CEO Mark King "…has a theory about why people are leaving the game of golf, or not taking it up at all. It’s not the time or the expense. No, King feels golf is too hard."  Please!   How many people do you know that just throw down their clubs and walk away from the game because they think it's too hard?  And what does Mr. King propose?  15 inch cups.  And allowing golfers to toss their balls out of bunkers.  One doesn't get to Mark King's position without a lot on the ball.  But, speaking for one golfer who celebrates the fact that the game is hard… Mr. King, bite me!  How much "leveling of the playing field" can our culture handle?  When did political correctness creep into golf?  Yikes.  This idea, to mix a metaphor, is definitely a bridge too far.

And then there's my favorite pet peeve.  I can't remember the source… either an online golf mag or Golf World… Golf Magazine… I don't know.  (I get WAY too many golf publications!)  But earlier this week I came upon an article in which the author was pitching a collection of "Affordable Golf Getaways" to lesser known locales.  I read with interest.  For a few minutes.  He pitched little known golf destinations like San Antonio.  Ever hear of it?  And Las Vegas.  Please.  And his set of recommended golf outings was full of $450 per night per person packages!  I wish I could be more specific about the source of this info… it's a bit unfair to criticize with so little specificity, but I was just so steamed after a few minutes of reading this tripe that I simply walked away.  And promptly forgot the source.  Sorry.

So an "Industry Leader" wants to make golf easier.  And another "authority" wants to send folks on $450 a night golf adventures.  Am I living in Bizarro World?  Or are the folks in the upper echelon of golf marketing just tone deaf?  Hey, guys!  Listen up!  How about a wonderful golf course 2 hours from home, with a $75 per night hotel and a great local diner nearby, if I decide to stay?  It's just not necessary to empty one's wallet to have a great golf adventure!  Try a HIDDEN FAIRWAY!

I've mentioned on my Facebook page a number of times lately that I'm now working with some new photo techniques that are really exciting, but it occurs to me that I haven't really put anything on Hidden Fairways that shows what HDR is all about.  Mostly, that's because I haven't had a chance to do any HDR work on Hidden Fairways courses yet.  I have done some HDR shots at a couple of private clubs and I had some fun over Christmas doing some architectural shooting in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, but nothing so far on Hidden Fairways.  How rude of me!

So, here ya go.  CLICK HERE to see what I'm talking about when I refer to HDR photos.  I can't begin to say how excited I am about HDR photography and how much using HDR shooting and processing techniques is adding to my photos.  It's just SOOO much fun.  For me, photography is about more than just taking a great picture.  It's about conveying a feeling.  And HDR opens up a wide range of possibilities for doing just that.  I could ramble on.  We all know that.  But I'd rather show you what I'm talking about.  CLICK HERE to see the new HDR gallery.

Golf is such a wonderful activity.  It can be a serious sport.  It can be a casual pastime.  And it can be amazingly rejuvenating therapy.

That's the case with American Lake Veterans Golf Course, in Tacoma, Washington.  I'm officially making ALVGC an honorary Hidden Fairway after watching THIS VIDEO and learning about what this place is all about.  The course was built on VA property in 1955 as a 9-hole facility, and is kept alive and well by some folks we could all emulate.  Folks like Pepper Roberts, President of Friends of American Lakes Golf Club, former PGA Tour player and Tacoma native Ken Still, and a little known golf course designer named Jack Nicklaus, who has volunteered his efforts to design a second 9.

You'll probably be hearing more about this course in the coming weeks and months. They're launching a national campaign to raise funds for the Nicklaus nine.  You can help.  Visit the ALVGC web site and contribute.  If you're a vet and in the Tacoma area, drop by and play.  This is what golf is about.  And it's what our country is about.  It's kinda nice.

Today, I've published the all new Interactive Hidden Fairways Map and I'm totally stoked. The new technology has much more flexibility, offers more in-depth information and frankly, is just a lot more fun to play with!

I, as I've so often said, am an old guy.  I say that with a semi-smile, because I don't feel old most of the time, but when Long John Silver's started offering me a senior discount I knew the handwriting was on the wall.  I'm an old guy.

But I'm not too old to embrace new technologies as I learn about them.  And this week's picture is a product of my first shoot involving High Dynamic Range photography.

It occurred to me recently that the two things I love most... work-wise, anyway... are perhaps slightly at odds with one another.  Hidden Fairways is, as I've mentioned many times before, a true labor of love.  And anyone visiting this web site will figure out that golf photography is also a love of mine. 

There are a few reasons I choose to pursue both these potentially conflicting activities:
A) I love golf courses
B) I visit a lot of golf courses
C) I sometimes find exceptional golf courses I'd like to let folks know about and
D) I have a skill set that enables me to do this in a professional manner.

But here's the rub.

As a course reviewer, I'm trying to be as straight as possible about the Hidden Fairways courses.  I genuinely love each of them, so you won't find a lot of harsh criticism in my notes, but I don't hesitate to mention problems if I'm aware of any.   Every Hidden Fairways courses is one I would gladly play any day of the week, and I can honestly recommend each one to Hidden Fairways visitors, close friends, colleagues and acquaintances.  These are truly exceptional courses.  Now... quick switch to my role as golf course photographer.  I photograph courses other than Hidden Fairways, and as a golf course photographer I feel my job is to make every course I shoot look like the most beautiful course in the world.  Compare my work to that of a portrait photographer...  would you visit your friendly neighborhood portrait studio if you knew the photographer was going to highlight all your zits?  Or emphasize your beer-bloated midsection.  I'm thinking not.  (Let me make it perfectly clear at this point that the "beer-bloated midsection" does not refer in any way to any Hidden Fairways golf course!)

This issue hadn't really popped into my feeble brain until Garrett Roberson, a Hidden Fairways member who recommended two courses in Tennessee I'm adding to Hidden Fairways now, pointed out what he perceived as a problem.  When I was photographing one of the courses, half of the greens were not even remotely green, having only that day been punched and sanded.  (By the way, underneath the sand, the greens looked flawless)  Consequently, I did not shoot any closeups of the sanded greens and when they were visible in the distance I made use of that marvelous program, Photoshop, to instantly grow some grass.  In my mind it was the right thing to do.  Garrett, though, was concerned that site visitors might think I was misleading them.  A legitimate point of view.  And while I appreciate his concern that Hidden Fairways visitors might have a problem with my creative decisions, it's not one I share. 

So there you have it.  As a visitor to Hidden Fairways, you can make up your own mind about whether my photos help you decide to visit a course or mislead you in any way.  But for me, I'm comfortable with the apparent conflict.  I wouldn't recommend a course if it weren't exceptional and if I weren't certain you'd enjoy it.  But once I select a course as a Hidden Fairway and include it on this web site, I shift happily into photographer mode.  I want you to have a clear idea of what the course is like, and I want the course owners, managers, pros and superintendents to see their course at its best.