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Lying Four

Stories
Places
Conversations
Wanderlust
Pros
Voices
Podcasts
January 26, 2020
Stories
Will Bardwell
Too Big to Trail

Imagine building 26 golf courses at the height of the golf development bubble, with nine figures in public pension money — in an effort that now loses money year after year. Welcome to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

Too Big to Trail
December 17, 2019
Stories
Will Bardwell
Rebirth and Reimagining in Mississippi

In theory, 12-hole designs should be cheaper to play, build, and maintain. But in the staid industry of golf course development, there’s been no rush to test the theory. The minds behind Sweetens Cove are ready to change that.

Rebirth and Reimagining in Mississippi
July 29, 2019
Stories
Will Bardwell
Rob Collins and the Long Road Out of Hell

Rob Collins had one shot. At Sweetens Cove, he took it — and he bet on himself over and over again. Somehow, impossibly, it worked.

Rob Collins and the Long Road Out of Hell
July 18, 2019
Pros
Will Bardwell
Coffee, a Dark House, and the Open

Waking up at 1:30 a.m. to watch golf isn’t conducive to work, or anything else really. But it’s become my favorite TV viewing experience of the year.

Coffee, a Dark House, and the Open
July 16, 2019
Pros
Will Bardwell
History will Judge the PGA

Through its silence in the face of Donald Trump’s racism, the PGA of America is not merely acquiescent in his behavior — it is complicit.

History will Judge the PGA
Will Bardwell
March 20, 2019
Places

Great Southern

Will Bardwell
March 20, 2019
Places
Great Southern

It’s not a Donald Ross design. But it’s not to be overlooked, either.

Tagged: Great Southern, Mississippi, Fallen Oak, Pinehurst No. 2, George Wright, Fox Chapel, Donald Ross

Will Bardwell
March 18, 2019
Pros

In Great Rory Debate, Both Sides are Right

Will Bardwell
March 18, 2019
Pros
In Great Rory Debate, Both Sides are Right

For as long as McIlroy plays three rounds in fifth gear and then spends Sunday on cruise control, everyone else will be on his heels until the end.

Tagged: Rory McIlroy, Players Championship, PGA Tour

Will Bardwell
March 17, 2019
Pros

Magical Kenya Open is the Euro Tour's Sanderson Farms

Will Bardwell
March 17, 2019
Pros
Magical Kenya Open is the Euro Tour's Sanderson Farms

The two events occur more than 8,000 miles apart, but they share an unusual number of parallels.

Tagged: PGA Tour, Sanderson Farms Championship, Magical Kenya Open, Mississippi, European Tour

Will Bardwell
March 15, 2019
Places

Joseph Bartholomew

Will Bardwell
March 15, 2019
Places
Joseph Bartholomew

This municipal course in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood is a representation of the whole city post-Katrina: it’s not perfect, but it’s back, and it’s wonderful, and that alone is amazing.

Tagged: Joseph Bartholomew, New Orleans, Louisiana

Will Bardwell
March 13, 2019
Stories

Chasing Donald Ross

Will Bardwell
March 13, 2019
Stories
Chasing Donald Ross

For 110 years, a struggling beachfront golf course on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has enjoyed its claim as the state’s only Donald Ross design. Except that it’s not.

Tagged: Mississippi, Great Southern, Donald Ross

Will Bardwell
March 11, 2019
Pros

There are Only Three Majors

Will Bardwell
March 11, 2019
Pros
There are Only Three Majors

If the Players’ claim to being a major doesn’t pass the eye test, then neither can the PGA Championship’s.

Tagged: Masters, PGA Championship, Open Championship, U.S. Open, Andy Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy

Will Bardwell
March 8, 2019
Stories

Keith Foster Sentenced to 30 Days in Prison

Will Bardwell
March 8, 2019
Stories
Keith Foster Sentenced to 30 Days in Prison

The renowned golf course architect, who renovated a number of golden age classics, had faced up to five years.

Tagged: Keith Foster, Southern Hills, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Old White

Will Bardwell
March 8, 2019
Places

Farmlinks

Will Bardwell
March 8, 2019
Places
Farmlinks

A course that asks you questions without beating you up when you screw up the answers.

Tagged: Farmlinks, Alabama

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Pros

The Fourth-Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Pros
The Fourth-Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The turn of the calendar to March brings a definite change of tone to the pro golf landscape. The fields get consistently stronger. The courses get consistently bigger. Things are happening.

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Stories

Separate But Equal

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Stories
Separate But Equal

Two municipal golf courses in Jackson, Miss., were born into racial segregation. Now they’re open to everyone, but with revenue plunging, it might be too late to save them both.

Tagged: Mississippi, SonnyGuy, Grove Park, Pete Brown, Jackson

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Places

Tunica National

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Places
Tunica National

Today, Tunica County’s poverty rate is 27 percent, more than twice the national average. But gambling brought a number of infrastructure improvements, at least. And the golf course.

Tagged: Mississippi, Mark McCumber, Tunica National

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Places

LeFleur's Bluff

Will Bardwell
March 6, 2019
Places
LeFleur's Bluff

Eleven dollars to hit a golf ball for an hour and a half and to burn enough calories for a guilt-free beer that night. You could do worse.

Tagged: LeFleur's Bluff, Mississippi

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