Donald Ross Society President welcomes FineGolf

Lorne,
Your website is a welcome addition to the rising clamor for traditional layouts. As President of the Donald Ross Society, and a member at Royal Dornoch, I may have a bias or two, but I assure you that there is a burgeoning interest in restoration here in the US.

We also have some new developments, for instance at Bandon Dunes in Oregon where fine Bent grasses thinly cover a rolling linksland on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and in northeastern Colorado’s chop hills where Doak discovered the holes that would become BallyNeal.

With climate change and the likelihood of water rationing in many of the western United States, greenkeepers here may need to rethink their grass selections and maintenance practices. Who knows, perhaps firmer fairways will force American golfers to rediscover techniques for run- up shots on courses originally designed for classic play such as The Olympic Club (Sam Whiting & Willie Watson, 1924) which has preserved the narrow openings in front of most of their small greens.

Sincerely,
Gerry Stratford

We are humbled that our website, in existence for only four months should attract interest from so much more experienced commentators. Thank you Gerry for allowing us to quote you. Best wishes from Lorne.