Patrick's Blog

As 2009 draws to a close we’ve all got memories – good and bad – to file away.  No need to rehash the headlines here.

I hope yours are mostly the good variety, ones that make you smile.  As far as the others are concerned, well, I’ll just pass along something my granddad, a survivor of the Great Depression, told me:  “Nobody gets to choose what they remember, but you can always pick the memories you hold close.”

 I’ve found that’s good advice.

 In that spirit, and on behalf of everyone at Stonehouse, I want to thank you for your business, and wish every one of you a Happy Holiday Season, and a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year. 

Here’s to building a future of good memories…

In honor of the spookiest holiday of the year, we are offering free shipping on our Haunted Courses Collection, which includes prints from golf courses with good ghost stories as well as all of our old world prints from England, Scotland, and Ireland. Check out our discounted prints in the Haunted Courses Collection. This offer is running now through October 31st. To take advantage of this giveaway, simply enter HAUNTED in the promo code box during checkout.

Everyone has felt the twinge of fear on the golf course, whether it be a competitor gaining a few strokes on your lead, a tough shot out of the bunker or a long putt for birdie. But we found a few frights of a different sort. Check out some of our favorite golf, ghost stories below:

The White Lady of St. Andrews:
This legendary, six-hundred-year-old course boasts many ghost stories. Probably the most popular is the story of the White Lady. A ghost-like image that often appears near the ruined abbey. The White Lady beckons those that see her to come closer, then she lifts her veil. Those that look upon her disfigured face are instantly driven insane. The legend states that the White Lady was a nun in the convent that occupied the abbey. This actually fits with the description of the apparition because many who have witnessed the ghost of the White Lady say that she has a veil over her face. It is thought that in life she became so badly disfigured that she became a nun so that she could hide away from people.
Another one of St. Andrews’s frights is Martyrs Monument, behind the 18th hole. The monument commemorates five 15th- and 16th-century Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake there and it is said that their ghosts still roam the coarse in search of justice.

For more information on St. Andrews’s haunts, check out the Haunted Castles St. Andrews page.

The Cemetery Beneath Lincoln Park Golf Course:
The breathtaking Lincoln Park Golf Course of San Francisco offers views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge and, according to some, ghosts. A wide variety of ghosts have been seen at this public course. They may be the souls of those buried in the old Golden Gate Cemetery. This cemetery housed more than a thousand corpses and it lies directly beneath the Lincoln Park Golf Course.

The land that now makes up this lovely course, had been in use as a cemetery since the mid 1800s. In 1909, the land was re-purposed by the expanding city of San Francisco to make way for the Lincoln Park Course and several other development projects. Many of the wealthier families were able to move the remains of their deceased, but the large “potter’s field” or public cemetery for poor residents was left unmoved.

Read more about the haunting of this course and the graveyard that it covers here.

Have a happy Halloween and enjoy free shipping on the Haunted Courses Collection!

Shooting Kohler, Dodging Maytags…

All the modern inconveniences.
- Mark Twain, Life On The Mississippi

Recently I had a shoot scheduled at Whistling Straits, future home of the 92nd PGA Championship. here The weather was great, so I decided to drive from Omaha to Kohler, Wisconsin , a trip of 540 miles. I knew what needed to be shot and exactly when and where to set up. I actually looked forward to the seven and a half hours of cruise control on the Interstate – just settle back, relax, decompress.

It would have worked out that way, too, except for a washing machine… in the right lane of eastbound I-80 in Iowa; the one that revealed itself when all of a sudden traffic bunched up and the vehicle in front of me swerved abruptly; the one I nearly missed by inches. Nearly.

Don’t ask me how a washing machine ended up on the Interstate highway. I only know it isn’t there now. It exploded when it got hit by a car. My car.

Luckily no one was hurt. The car (a rental) was a little worse for the wear, but drivable. I even made it to the golf course in time to shoot that day. But relaxed? Forget it. The washing machine was a “Life-Flashes-Before-My-Eyes” moment.

Fortunately, they put me up at the Inn on Wood Lake, with all the touches the world has come to expect from the Kohler family. Here the attention to detail is something you have to experience for yourself.

If you’ve never been to the Destination Kohler resorts, you’re missing one of America ’s great retreats. Golf, spa, accommodations, shopping, food, service… everything is first-class. Especially this time of year. Check out the Blackwolf Run image – the Fall colors are spectacular.

Do yourself a favor: Plan a trip to Kohler. Walk, bike, fly or drive there. But watch out for washing machines. As for me, the only Maytag I want to see for awhile is the Maytag Blue on top of my filet.

All the Best,
Patrick Drickey

Since Omaha, Neb. is Stonehouse Golf’s hometown, we were extremely excited by Golf.com’s recent naming of Sand Hills as the Greatest Course of the Last 50 Years. The article, written by Joe Passov, is really a great read. We hope that you will check it out. Here are few excerpts from that story:

America’s most celebrated courses — among them, Pine Valley and Pebble Beach — date to the golden age of golf architecture between the World Wars. The best course designed since then lies deep in the wilds of Nebraska.

We also thought it was interesting how Golf.com valued the simplicity and the natural design of Sand Hills.

Currently ranked No. 8 in the U.S. and No. 11 in the world, Sand Hills is a private 1994 creation of architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Almost as soon as it opened Sand Hills ushered in two trends that have flourished since: minimalist course design, and the Field of Dreams theory, which holds that if you build a truly great golf course, people will come see it, no matter how remote the location.

We hope that you enjoyed the images of Sand Hills in this post, check out all of our framed Sand Hills images for purchase here.

First, some thoughts about majors and the PGA Championship:  By definition, a “major” is one of golf’s elite tournaments… one in which all of the world’s top players participate each year.  According to this definition, every PGA Championship since 1957 (before ‘57 the PGA Championship was match play) should be considered the  #1 “major”  simply because the fields have consistently included more of the world’s top players than any other golf tournament. Historically, the PGA Championship was created as a high-profile competition for professional golfers at a time when the sport that was largely run by wealthy amateurs. This original concept is still reflected in the entry parameters:  The PGA Championship is the only “major” which does not invite leading amateurs to compete.

Hazeltine National Golf Club 7

Back in 1930, when Bobby Jones won the “Grand Slam,” the majors included the Opens and Amateurs of both the U.S. and Britain, although by virtue of their professional status several of the game’s top players weren’t eligible for some of these events. Other tournaments that were considered majors in those days included both the Western Open, first played in 1899, and the North and South Open, started in 1902 and played annually at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. It has been suggested that the North and South was the Masters before there was a Masters Tournament – it was played at the same course every year and players were treated like royalty.   It ended in 1951 following a tiff between the tour and Pinehurst’s management, and the Western Open fell by the wayside when CBS began covering the Masters at Augusta in the mid-1950’s.

Except for the Masters, all current majors are championships of something: the USGA, the Royal and Ancient in Great Britain, the PGA of America. By that standard, I suppose the Players Championship, staged by the PGA Tour at Sawgrass, ought to be the fifth major…and many considerate it so, but the debate goes on.

Showtime at Hazeltine National
This year, the PGA Championship will be played at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.  The course is everything you might expect – a demanding parkland layout running adjacent to Lake Hazeltine, offering a full complement of Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones challenges.  Water, woods and prairie have been configured to emphasize shot values, and nowhere is this more evident than #16.  It’s a diabolical hole; swing with confidence or you’re fish food.  Watch for it during the TV coverage.

Hazeltine National Golf Club 16

Garrison Keillor Country
If you’ve never traveled to Minnesota, you’re in for a pleasant surprise… Chaska is a scenic 40-minute drive from Minneapolis International.  It’s not exactly Lake Woebegone, but you’ll enjoy the countryside – the trees are just tall enough and all the girls are pretty.  Beautiful rural lake country.  In the land of 10,000 lakes that may sound too obvious, but never mind… this is an outdoorsman’s (and woman’s) paradise, especially if you like to fish.  Chaska is a bedroom community of Minneapolis, within a three-hour drive of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and popular destinations like Mille Lacs.  I was there in mid July and many of the roadside produce stands had fresh corn and tomatoes for sale…I’m a sucker for sweet corn, especially when it comes out of the field 20 minutes before you buy it.

Feed Your Head, Too
If you attend the Championship, plan to visit the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.  With its outstanding collection of contemporary art, it’s one of my favorite stops.  Try it on a Thursday night; there’s free admission courtesy of Target, Inc.

And don’t forget to stop by the Merchandise tent – I’ll be on hand to personalize any purchase.

Save 10% on Hazeltine Images
Now through August 31st, take 10% off all Hazeltine images in the Stonehouse Collection. Enter promo code HAZELPGA09 during checkout to take advantage of this discount.

In the world of golf there’s no such thing as the “British” Open Championship – not officially, anyway.  There’s the Open Championship, which is played in England, Scotland and once in Ireland, and there’s the U.S. Open Championship.   

You don’t often see the word “British” in print referring to the Open Golf Championship in Britain. That’s because it’s the original Open Championship, established long before the U.S. version.  To avoid confusion the U.S. Open is identified as such, but tradition demands that the words “The Open” refer to the British championship.   

Turnberry Hotel

I made sure to observe this rule when I received the assignment of photographing the courses that host this event on a rotating basis, including two that are no longer in the rotation – Royal Prestwick (site of the first Open in 1860) and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland (the first and only time the event was not held on the British mainland).  

This year the Open returns to Scotland, and one of its most fabled links venues:  Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, located on the west coast about 2 hours South of Glasgow.

Historic Turnberry
Turnberry began as the property of a railway company over a hundred years ago, and the ensuing century has seen its 5-star grand hotel converted into a barracks during WWII, with the golf course itself used as a wartime airfield.  Course architect Mackenzie Ross was commissioned to redesign the Ailsa course in 1951, and the result has drawn worldwide acclaim – Ailsa is now considered the #1 course in Great Britain.

Ailsa #10 from the green looking back

More manicured than most Scottish courses, this coastal stretch of holes intermingles turbulent dunes and rocky crags, which frame views of the imposing Turnberry lighthouse, a stoic witness to the many seafarers who have come to watery graves off the rugged coastline. It’s even said the lighthouse foundation at the water’s edge houses ruins of a hideout Robert the Bruce used to evade the soldiers of King Edward “Longshanks” of England.

The Duel in the Sun
The Ailsa hosted its first Open in 1977 and produced arguably the best Major championship finish ever. Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by one stroke in a contest that would be immortalized as the “Duel in the Sun.” (Note:  The Golf Channel occasionally revisits this classic piece of golf history – still worth watching even though you know the result.)

Ailsa #12 from the tees and #11 to the right

I have two images in my collection to commemorate this year’s Open – Turnberry Ailsa#10, and what may be one of my most unusual images, taken from the tee box of #12 overlooking #11 green.  Each offers a most suitable remembrance of this year’s contest for the Claret Jug, even if I do say so myself.

The Hotel – a “Must Stay”
I stayed at the Turnberry hotel when I photographed the course and I must say I felt like royalty… causing me to invoke my “if you come you must stay” recommendation.  Adorned with spectacular ocean views and scenic links vistas, these accommodations immerse every guest in comfort and luxury, with elegant dining opportunities to match.  Everything about Turnberry is world-class!

This may sound odd, but if I had to choose just one golf tournament to attend, I think it might be the Ryder Cup.  I’ve been to a couple of them now, and I like the fact that the event not only draws many of the world’s best players, it also presents the game from a team perspective – something uncommon in such an individual sport, and an exciting change for both players and fans.

Jack Fry's, Louisville

Tasty Local Eats
My trip to the 2008 Ryder Cup in Louisville began with the usual setup chores in the PGA Merchandise Tent, after which I headed downtown to do a little recon.  In my travels I always like to find a friendly, home-grown spot where local color is readily dispensed.  (Clue:  I’ve found bartenders are usually the best sources of information.)   I certainly wasn’t disappointed when I found Jack Fry’s – a locally-owned eatery that serves both great food and the inside scoop on where to go and what to see.  (Jack Fry’s, *****, $$$)

Weathering the Weather
The PGA opened the Merchandise Tent on the Saturday before the Ryder Cup officially started, but the remnants of Hurricane Ike were blowing through, so it looked like rain any minute.  Unfortunately the wind really picked up too, and on Sunday the gusts were 90+ mph.  Bent poles forced us to evacuate the tent, and the gale took down some trees, grandstands and a TV tower on one of the greens.  Fortunately over 100 volunteers from surrounding golf courses showed up Monday to help the greens crew repair the damage, and by Tuesday morning Valhalla was ready for play – a remarkable feat considering nearly 300,000 people were still without power.

Valhalla 13

Different Team Dynamics
It’s interesting to observe the differences in style between the two Ryder Cup teams:  The Euros tend to travel together and seem to get along well; you might even spot them eating together at local restaurants, having a good time with fans.  The American team, on the other hand, usually arrives on separate, private jets with personal chefs and trainers in tow.  They tend to keep a certain distance from fans until the event, although local favorites Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes were an exception – both went out of their way to sign autographs and encourage fan participation.  And I don’t know whether it was the atmosphere or the bourbon, but Floridian Boo Weekley was a huge favorite, embraced by the Kentuckians as one of their own.      

Practice Rounds Set the Stage
If you’re fortunate enough to attend a Ryder Cup, be sure to catch the practice rounds.  That’s where you witness how each team will interact as players and teammates.

At Valhalla this was particularly apparent on No. 13, the signature hole with a raised island green.  At 350 yards, this green was drivable, and everyone gave it a shot in practice.  However, during competition only the big hitters gave it a swat – if they missed, their teammates played it safe, leaving a well-aimed chip shot to get up and down.

Valhalla 18

The 18th was interesting, too.  Fans on the 545-yard par 5 came alive when Boo, J.B. and Kenny made an appearance.  The stadium course moguls that line the edges of the fairway were crowded at least six deep, and I heard rumors of human waves going up one side and down the other.

Only one chance to see a PGA event?  My advice is make it a Ryder Cup…  and bring your loudest cheering voice, a good autograph pen and an appetite for some really competitive golf. 

Oh, and stop by the PGA Merchandise Tent to say  “Hi.”

Travel to the world’s most famous golf venues is one of the huge rewards of my career, and in this blog I’ll share some of my experiences on the road – accommodations, dining, interesting people – hopefully to help you make your own travel adventures more enjoyable.  Please feel free to respond with your comments or tips; I’d love to hear from you.

2009 Panoramic Images of Golf Calendar

For my inaugural entry I selected historic St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, and my trip to photograph the town’s newest course, the Castle Course, designed by architect David McLay Kidd, the Scotsman who authored the wonderful layout of Bandon Dunes in the U.S.

A bit of St Andrews history to start: Known as the “home” of golf, St Andrews (population 16,600) holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the game in the 15th century. It’s also the site of the world’s oldest operating course, the historic and traditional Old Course, as well as six other public courses: the Balgrove, the Eden, the Jubilee, the Strathtyrum, the New, and the Castle Course, which opened in June 2008. (Ironically, the New Course was actually constructed in 1895… proving that, in time, all names are relative.) All of these courses are operated and owned by the St Andrews Links Trust, a local charitable organization.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

One of the town’s most prestigious golf clubs, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is probably the world’s best-known symbol of golf’s traditions and history, being the venue of many televised Open tournaments, as well as one of two rule-making authorities of the game.

Getting There
My trip took me from home in Omaha through Chicago, Heathrow, and finally to Edinburgh. From there I drove to St Andrews – and enjoyed a scenic one-hour tour of the Scottish countryside, replete with vistas of cultivated fields and pastures, serenely reminiscent of Kentucky horse country.

Forth Rail Bridge

The photo is of the Forth Rail Bridge, which you see as you cross the A90 bridge across the Firth of Forth. This steel monster is one of the strongest (and most expensive) bridges in the world, created in response to a Firth of Tay railway bridge collapse that killed 75 people. A phenomenon of Victorian engineering, it was considered the eighth wonder of world when it was built in 1890, earning the nickname, “the Eiffel Tower of Scotland.”

Driving Tips
I drove a rented Mercedes with an automatic transmission; experience has taught me that steering a car from the opposite side of American cars takes a little getting used to, and shifting gears left-handed only complicates the adjustment, especially when you want to do a little sight-seeing as you drive. You, too, may find the slight rental fee increase worth it, and I think the best rates are found online.  But beware your speed; automatic “speed cameras” are posted at intervals along the M90 divided highway, so the occasional bright flash isn’t a religious experience – in 2-3 weeks your rental agency forwards a citation, along with additional charges to your bankcard.

Approaching St Andrews you pass the Old Course, widely considered one of the finest courses in the world.  Suddenly the centuries-old atmosphere of golf history begins to percolate through you, and I don’t care how unsentimental you think you are… it’s enough to raise goosebumps.

St Andrews Castle No.3

The 6800-yard Castle Course is perched on cliffs a mile east of St Andrews, and the visual impact is stunning.  Every hole provides views of the North Sea, and the coastline serves up a sinuous golden thread of sandy beach, interrupted at intervals by inlets and coves.  To the north you see the city of Dundee and the mountains of Angus.  A glance back at St Andrews offers a wonderful view of the town, including the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and the extinct volcano, Lucklaw Hill.  My image of hole #3, nicknamed Cathedral, shows the cathedral’s twin spires and St Rule’s Tower just over the mound in the center of the fairway.  Almost takes your breath away (with cliché apologies.) For a complete hole-by-hole course description with green fees and tee times visit the St Andrews Links Web site.

Accommodations
Since my first visit to St Andrews in 1997 I’ve made it a point to always book Bed & Breakfast accommodations.  The reason is simple:  I think it’s easier to get good information about where to eat and which pubs offer the best “Yank-friendly” local color.  And a major B&B plus is the complete Scottish breakfast, usually consisting of fresh fruit, cereal, a choice of juices, a bottomless cup of coffee served with clotted cream (like putting a slice of butter in your cup), eggs, sausage, toast, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, black pudding, and what I consider to be the world’s tastiest bacon, similar to what we call Canadian Bacon.  I don’t have many vices, but I’m a sucker for a good meal to start the day.

I knew I would be up before dawn and out until sunset shooting, so on this trip I picked a place which put me close to the course.  It’s called Cambo Estate, and it’s located near the village of Kingsbarns, Fife, Scotland.  My background as an architectural photographer drew me to this historic place, and I was delighted to meet the owners, Sir Peter and Lady Catherine Erskine, who, along with their entire staff, make their B&B patrons quite comfortable.  In fact, I’d urge anyone considering a St Andrews stay to visit the Erskine’s Web site for more information.

Sir Peter is himself an accomplished photographer, so I gave him a gicleé print of Pebble Beach #18, and we became fast friends.  He holds a long term lease on the Kingsbarn Golf Course, just a stone’s throw from the Cambo house & Gardens, and is a member of the R&A, having an ancestor who was a founding member of St Andrews Links.

I look forward to my next visit with Sir Peter and Lady Catherine, possibly coinciding with the 2010 Open.

Next month I’ll have another installment of my “notes,” but in the meantime you can help make this a two-way street:  If you’ve got any tips or short anecdotes born of your golf travels, click ‘em in.  All of us at Stonehouse look forward to hearing from you.