Last week The Eden Green at The Old Course was one of the best in the world.

The Old Course at St. Andrews was established in 1552, and has enjoyed the recreational golfer since the early 1400's.  It is a public and publically owned golf course.  On Sundays it becomes a park for anyone to stroll the grounds - pets are welcome too!

Today a fellow player, Colin Donaldson, tweeted the above picture - he shot a 72 amongst the rubble.

The picture is of The Eden green (#11) and is roughly 10,000 square feet – not counting the adjoined 7^th green.

I’ve heard, and remember, the slope of the green is more than 4%, or it rises 1 foot for every 25 feet.

To get the slope down to "their" desired pinable level, or more fair?!?, it would have to be reduced to ~2%.

That means if the change in elevation from the front of the green to the back is 4 feet, the back would have to drop 2 feet.

To drop the back 2 feet, it would require almost the entire side to be disturbed.

That is what is happening in the above picture.

They chose a starting point for where the green would need to be cut to achieve the 2 ft drop in the back without looking like a shelf.

The area is large, it appears as if they are disturbing 2,500 sft.

The sod has been cut and removed and placed so it can be replaced and replanted when complete.

They are using a laser to help measure and ensure that the desired slopes are achieved.

It is a usually slow process.

I assume they would also need to adjust the irrigation line and lower the surrounding irrigation sprinklers.

Why does this matter?

Last week this was one of the coolest holes in the World, now it is a little less unique.

You can follow us on twitter for now and we’ll be posting more about this greatest of holes.

It is too late, but still informative: #Savetheoldcourse.

Happy Birthday Moji!

Last night Eddie Vedder and Glen Hansard played Jones Hall, the Houston Symphony Orchestra's home venue.  I thought it was a great show filled with variety, I like variety - here is a review of the previous night's show.  

Throughout the evening Eddie would tell stories before each segment of songs.  {Don't let his most recent album's name fool you, "Ukulele Songs" has some powerful music live.  His 2nd Ukulele (from the 1950s) of the night was so strong and vibrant, he was only able to set the volume to 2?}  

When Eddie got to the early Pearl Jam set, he described how long it has been - 20 years - that we have all lived with these songs.  When he wrote them he was in a much different, angrier, place.  He shared and acknowledged his experiences with the audience as if we lived them together, because we did.  Although it was some of those anger filled songs that brought everyone together, and now that life is much clearer, hopefully for everyone, we can still share the songs in a meaningful way. (Here is the Setlist.)

The things that we share can help make us closer.  Especially common interests over an extended period of time.  Even if we weren't together, they are a form of shared experiences.  Playing the game of golf would certainly fit this long term shared experience.  Many of the people I know that appreciate the game have done so for a long time.  This is obvious when playing.  

I wish the goal of reconnecting those that share a similar passion was higher up the priority list in the business world of golf.  It seems more and more that the business of golf's goal is to provide pristine conditions and an unparalled experience?  When in truth they can't compete with the joy of sharing and playing the game as a youngster with our super-extended family.  And that doesn't cost a thing, it comes free with every round.

So who is Moji?  I had forgotten about her too.  Three years ago I saw Glen Hansard perform during his Once tour.  It was brilliant.  And that night while coaching and coaxing the audience to sing with him, someone standing directly next to me, Moji, belted out a few notes.  Moji was so awesome Glen had to bring her up on stage: check out this youtube video from that night and a review of the magical night.

Fast forward to last night.  It turns out that Glen did not forget Moji.  She was back and even better.  She sang duets with both Glen and Eddie!  And was part of the "Hard Sun" trio during the final encore! Setlist

Moji can sure show us that greatness can come from almost anywhere if we stay open minded.

Texas Golfer Fall Issue Essay

Texas Golfer Magazine published my essay in its current fall issue.  I describe how the game should be more fun for everyone, especially women.  The short version is that I tee off from the most interesting location, and don't worry about my handicap.  Click the image to read or this link to the entire digitial issue.  Cheers and go vote!